Honey, James - South African Folk Tales

PUBLIC LIBRARY THE BRANCH L BRARIE ',

33333011953888

ft

SOUTH-AFRICANFOLK-TALES


BY

JAMES A. HONEY, M.D.

..

NEW YORK

THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY1910

COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY

THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY

Published, November, 1910

THE NEW YORKPUBLIC LIBRARY

ABTOW, LENOX ANDTIUJCN t-'OUNpATtONS.

'.'

'

' ''

'I C C CC

THE TROW PRESS, NEW YORK

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

TO

C. F. H. AND F. I. G.

-

-. -

-

,. < I

,,

' J

I * < < ' <

CONTENTSPAGE

INTRODUCTION 1

ORIGIN OF THE DIFFERENCE IN MODES OF

LIFE BETWEEN HOTTENTOTS AND BUSH-

MEN .8THE LOST MESSAGE . . 10

THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE . 14

THE TIGER, THE RAM, AND THE JACKAL 19

THE JACKAL AND THE WOLF ... 22

A JACKAL AND A WOLF .... 24

THE LION, THE JACKAL, AND THE MAN . 25

THE WORLD'S REWARD .... 28

THE LION AND THE JACKAL ... 33

TINK-TINKJE 42

THE LION AND JACKAL .... 45

THE LION AND JACKAL .... 48

THE HUNT OF LION AND JACKAL , . 53

[vii]

CONTENTSPAGE

THE STORY OF LION AND LITTLE JACKAL 56

THE LIONESS AND THE OSTRICH . . 62

CROCODILE'S TREASON 64

THE STORY OF A DAM 73

THE DANCE FOR WATER OR RABBITS'

TRIUMPH 79

JACKAL AND MONKEY 84

LION'S SHARE . 87

JACKAL'S BRIDE 92

THE STORY OF HARE . ... 94

THE WHITE MAN AND SNAKE . . . 101

ANOTHER VERSION OF THE SAME FABLE 103

CLOUD EATING . ... 105

LION'S ILLNESS 107

JACKAL, DOVE, AND HERON. . . . 109

COCK AND JACKAL Ill

ELEPHANT AND TORTOISE . . . .112

ANOTHER VERSION OF THE SAME FABLE 115

TORTOISE HUNTING OSTRICHES . . . 117

THE JUDGMENT OF BABOON . . . 118

LION AND BABOON . . . . . 121

[viii]

CONTENTSPAGE

THE ZEBRA STALLION 122

WHEN LION COULD FLY .... 124

LION WHO THOUGHT HIMSELF WISER THANHis MOTHER 126

LION WHO TOOK A WOMAN'S SHAPE . 129

WHY HAS JACKAL A LONG BLACK STRIPE

ON His BACK? 137

HORSE CURSED BY SUN .... 138

LION'S DEFEAT 139

THE ORIGIN OF DEATH. . . .141ANOTHER VERSION OF THE SAME FABLE 143

A THIRD VERSION OF THE SAME FABLE . 144

A FOURTH VERSION OF THE SAME FABLE 146

A ZULU VERSION OF THE LEGEND OF THE"ORIGIN OF DEATH" .... 147

LITERATURE ON SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-LORE 148

[ix]


INTRODUCTION

INpresenting these stories, which are of deep

interest and value to South Africans, I

hope they may prove of some value to

those Americans who have either an interest in

animals or who appreciate the folklore of other

countries.

Many of these tales have appeared among

English collections previous to 1880, others

have been translated from the Dutch, and a few

have been written from childhood remembrance.

Consequently they do not pretend to be orig-

inal or unique. Care has been taken not to spoil

the ethnological value for the sake of form or

structure; and in all cases they are as nearly

like the original as a translation from one tongue

to another will allow. They are all South-Afri-

can folklore tales and mainly from the Bush-

men. Some are perverted types from what were

originally Bushmen tales, but have been taken

E 1 ]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES

over by Hottentots or Zulus ; a few are from the

Dutch. Most of these last named will show a

European influence, especially French.

Some of the animal stories have appeared in

American magazines under the author's name,

but this is the first time that a complete collec-

tion has appeared since Dr. Bleek published his

stories in 1864. The object has been to keep

the stories apart from those which have a mytho-

logical or religious significance, and especially

to keep it an animal collection free from those

in which man appears to take a part.

There will be found several versions of the

same story, and as far as possible these will be

put in the order of their importance in relation

to the original. The author does not pretend to

be an authority on South-African folklore, but

has only a South-African-born interest in what

springs from that country of sunshine. It is a

difficult task to attempt to trace the origin of

these stories, as there is no country where there

have been so many distinct and primitive races

dwelling together.

The Bushmen seem to trace back to the earli-

[ 2 ]

INTRODUCTION

est Egyptian days, when dwarfs were picturedon the tombs of the kings and were a distinct

race. From then until now it has been their

pride to say that before men were men, they

were; or, to put it clearer, before Africa was

inhabited by other races, they were there. As

represented by some of these stories of the

Bushmen, what races have not, then, had their

influence on the folklore? According to Stow,

they were a wandering primitive race of small

men, painters and sculptors, hunters and herds-

men, and withal a race showing traces of won-

derful reasoning and adaptability, with a keen

sense of justice and a store of pride. Mytho-

logical some of their stories are, but whether this

is due to the influence of the Hottentots, a later

race, it is difficult to say. And, lastly, there

are the Kaffirs spread over the whole of South

Africa, domineering, but backward. The varied

influences which may have affected these stories

before they reached us show what enormous

possibilities there are for error in tracing the

origin of the animal tales here presented. Bleek

finds that a greater congeniality exists between

[3]


the Hottentot and European mind than is found

between the latter and any other of the black

races of Africa. Whether he means that this

indicates a European origin of the fables, I can-

not say. There is no doubt in my mind that

the Bushmen came from the north and were the

primitive race of south and tropical Africa, the

dwarfs of Livingstone, Stanley, and other ex-

plorers. Considering, then, the great antiquityof this race, it naturally follows that if these

stories are not original with the Bushmen, theyare at least so modified as to bear no resemblance

to Egyptian, Phoenician, or any other ancient

race which the Bushmen may have come in con-

tact with. Herodotus described a race on the

upper Nile which corresponds with later descrip-

tions of the Bushmen in tropical and southern

Africa.

I agree with what the South-African Folklore

Journal stated twenty years or more ago, that

with the "vast strides South Africa is mak-

ing in the progress of civilization, the native

races will either be swept away or so altered

as to lose many of their ancient habits, cus-

[4]

INTRODUCTION

toms, traditions, or at least greatly to modify

them."

Knowing that by a collection of this kind

these stories could best be preserved, and feel-

ing that others had not read them, I began this

collection ten years ago. There is so much done

now to preserve what is still Bushmen folklore

that I feel this small volume is indeed only a

small addition to the folklore world.

" South-African folklore is," the South-Af-

rican Folklore Journal says,"

in its very na-

ture plain, and primitive in its simplicity; not

adorned with the wealth of palaces and precious

stones to be met with in the folklore of more

civilized nations, but descriptive in great meas-

ure of the events of everyday life, among those

in a low state of civilization ; and with the ex-

ception of evidences of moral qualities, and of

such imagery as is connected with the phenom-

ena of nature, very little that is grand or mag-

nificent must be looked for in it."

Bain gives a story related by a Kaffir which

shows " the distribution of animals after the

creation." This story could not become typ-

[ 5 ]


ically Kaffir until after the Kaffir came in con-

tact with the European in the last two or three

hundred years. However, the story will serve

to illustrate the people whose stories appear in

this volume and to close the Introduction.

Teco, in Kaffir, is the Supreme Being. Teco

had every description of stock and property.

There were three nations created, viz., the

Whites, the Amakosa, or Kaffirs, and the Ama-

louw, or Hottentots. A day was appointed for

them to appear before the Teco to receive what-

ever he might apportion to each tribe. While

they were assembling, a honey bird, or honey

guide, came fluttering by, and all the Hotten-

tots ran after it, whistling and making the pe-

culiar noise they generally do while following

this wonderful little bird. The Teco remon-

strated with them about their behavior, but to

no purpose. He thereupon denounced them as

a vagrant race that would have to exist on wild

roots and honey beer, and possess no stock what-

ever.

When the fine herds of cattle were brought,

the Kaffirs became very much excited the one

[ 6]

INTRODUCTION

exclaiming," That black and white cow is

mine !

" and another," That red cow and black

bull are mine !

" and so on, till at last the Teco,

whose patience had been severely taxed by their

shouts and unruly behavior, denounced them as

a restless people, who would only possess cattle.

The Whites patiently waited until they re-

ceived cattle, horses, sheep, and all sorts of

property. Hence, the old Kaffir observed," You

Whites have got everything. We Kaffirs have

only cattle, while the Amalouw, or Hottentots,

have nothing."JAMES A. HONEY.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS., June, 1910.

ORIGIN OF THE DIFFERENCEIN MODES OF LIFE BETWEENHOTTENTOTS AND BUSHMEN

IN

the beginning there were two. One was

blind, the other was always hunting. This

hunter found at last a hole in the earth

from which game proceeded and killed the

young. The blind man, feeling and smelling

them, said,"They are not game, but cattle."

The blind man afterwards recovered his sight,

and going with the hunter to this hole, saw

that they were cows with their calves. He then

quickly built, a kraal (fence made of thorns)

round them, and anointed himself, just as Hot-

tentots (in their native state) &.re still wont

to do.

When the other, who now with great trouble

had to seek his game, came and saw this, he

wanted to anoint himself also." Look here !

"

said the other,"you must throw the ointment

[ 8 1

HOTTENTOTS AND BUSHMEN

into the fire, and afterwards use it." He fol-

lowed this advice, and the flames flaring up into

his face, burnt him most miserably; so that he

was glad to make his escape. The other, how-

ever, called to him: "Here, take the kirri (a

knobstick), and run to the hills to hunt there

for honey."

Hence sprung the race of Bushmen.

[9]

THE LOST MESSAGE

THEant has had from time immemorial

many enemies, and because he is small

and destructive, there have been a

great many slaughters among them. Not only

were most of the birds their enemies, but Ant-

eater lived almost wholly from them, and Centi-

pede beset them every time and at all places

when he had the chance.

So now there were a few among them who

thought it would be well to hold council together

and see if they could not come to some arrange-

ment whereby they could retreat to some place

of safety when attacked by robber birds and

animals.

But at the gathering their opinions were

most discordant, and they could come to no

decision.

There was Red-ant, Rice-ant, Black-ant,

[10]

THE LOST MESSAGE

Wagtail-ant, Gray-ant, Shining-ant, and manyother varieties. The discussion was a true babel

of diversity, which continued for a long time

and came to nothing.

A part desired that they should all go into

a small hole in the ground, and live there;

another part wanted to have a large and strong

dwelling built on the ground, where nobodycould enter but an ant; still another wanted

to dwell in trees, so as to get rid of Anteater,

forgetting entirely that there they would be the

prey of birds ; another part seemed inclined to

have wings and fly.

And, as has already been said, this delibera-

tion amounted to nothing, and each party re-

solved to go to work in its own way, and on

its own responsibility.

Greater unity than that which existed in

each separate faction could be seen nowhere

in the world; each had his appointed task,

each did his work regularly and well. And all

worked together in the same way. From amongthem they chose a king that is to say some

of the groups did and they divided the la-

[11]


bor so that all went as smoothly as it possibly

could.

But each group did it in its own way, and

not one of them thought of protecting them-

selves against the onslaught of birds or Ant-

eater.

The Red-ants built their house on the groundand lived under it, but Anteater leveled to the

ground in a minute what had cost them many

days of precious labor. The Rice-ants lived un-

der the ground, and with them it went no better.

For whenever they came out, Anteater visited

them and took them out sack and pack. The

Wagtail-ants fled to the trees, but there on manyoccasions sat Centipede waiting for them, or the

birds gobbled them up. The Gray-ants had in-

tended to save themselves from extermination

by taking to flight, but this also availed them

nothing, because the Lizard, the Hunting-spider,

and the birds went a great deal faster than

they.

When the Insect-king heard that they could

come to no agreement he sent them the secret

of unity, and the message of Work-together.

[12]

THE LOST MESSAGE

But unfortunately he chose for his messenger

the Beetle, and he has never yet arrived at the

Ants, so that they are still to-day the embodi-

ment of discord and consequently the prey of

enemies.

[13]

THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE

HUNGERand want forced Monkey one

day to forsake his land and to seek

elsewhere among strangers for much-

needed work. Bulbs, earth beans, scorpions, in-

sects, and such things were completely exhausted

in his own land. But fortunately he received,

for the time being, shelter with a great uncle of

his, Orang Outang, who lived in another part

of the country.

When he had worked for quite a while he

wanted to return home, and as recompense his

great uncle gave him a fiddle and a bow and

arrow and told him that with the bow and ar-

row he could hit and kill anything he desired,

and with the fiddle he could force anything to

dance.

The first he met upon his return to his own

land was Brer Wolf. This old fellow told him

all the news and also that he had since early

[14]

THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE

morning been attempting to stalk a deer, but all

in vain.

Then Monkey laid before him all the won-

ders of the bow and arrow that he carried on

his back and assured him if he could but see

the deer he would bring it down for him. WhenWolf showed him the deer, Monkey was ready

and down fell the deer.

They made a good meal together, but instead

of Wolf being thankful, jealousy overmastered

him and he begged for the bow and arrow.

When Monkey refused to give it to him, he

thereupon began to threaten him with his great-

er strength, and so when Jackal passed by, Wolf

told him that Monkey had stolen his bow and

arrow. After Jackal had heard both of them,

he declared himself unqualified to settle the

case alone, and he proposed that they bringthe matter to the court of Lion, Tiger, and the

other animals. In the meantime he declared he

would take possession of what had been the

cause of their quarrel, so that it would be safe,

as he said. But he immediately brought to

earth all that was eatable, so there was a long

[15]


time of slaughter before Monkey and Wolf

agreed to have the affair in court.

Monkey's evidence was weak, and to make it

worse, Jackal's testimony was against him.

Jackal thought that in this way it would be

easier to obtain the bow and arrow from Wolf

for himself.

And so fell the sentence against Monkey.

Theft was looked upon as a great wrong; he

must hang.

The fiddle was still at his side, and he received

as a last favor from the court the right to play

a tune on it.

He was a master player of his time, and in

addition to this came the wonderful power of

his charmed fiddle. Thus, when he struck the

first note of" Cockcrow "'

upon it, the court

began at once to show an unusual and spon-

taneous liveliness, and before he came to the

first waltzing turn of the old tune the whole

court was dancing like a whirlwind.

Over and over, quicker and quicker, sounded

the tune of " Cockcrow " on the charmed fiddle,

until some of the dancers, exhausted, fell down,

THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE

although still keeping their feet in motion. But

Monkey, musician as he was, heard and saw

nothing of what had happened around him.

With his head placed lovingly against the in-

strument, and his eyes half closed, he played

on, keeping time ever with his foot.

Wolf was the first to cry out in pleading tones

breathlessly," Please stop, Cousin Monkey !

For love's sake, please stop !

"

But Monkey did not even hear him. Over and

over sounded the resistless waltz of " Cockcrow."

After a while Lion showed signs of fatigue,

and when he had gone the round once more with

his young lion wife, he growled as he passed

Monkey," My whole kingdom is yours, ape, if

you just stop playing."" I do not want it," answered Monkey,

" but

withdraw the sentence and give me my bow and

arrow, and you, Wolf, acknowledge that youstole it from me."

" I acknowledge, I acknowledge !

"cried Wolf,

while Lion cried, at the same instant, that he

withdrew the sentence.

Monkey gave them just a few more turns

[17]


of the"Cockcrow," gathered up his bow and

arrow, and seated himself high up in the nearest

camel thorn tree.

The court and other animals were so afraid

that he might begin again that they hastily dis-

banded to new parts of the world.

[18]

THE TIGER, THE RAM, ANDTHE JACKAL

TIGER

(leopard) was returning home

from hunting on one occasion, when he

lighted on the kraal of Ram. Now,

Tiger had never seen Ram before, and accord-

ingly, approaching submissively, he said," Good

day, friend ! What may your name be ?"

The other in his gruff voice, and striking his

breast with his forefoot, said," I am Ram. Who

are you?' :

"Tiger," answered the other, more dead than

alive, and then, taking leave of Ram, he ran

home as fast as he could.

Jackal lived at the same place as Tiger did,

and the latter going to him, said," Friend

Jackal, I am quite out of breath, and am half

dead with fright, for I have just seen a terrible

looking fellow, with a large and thick head, and

[19]


on my asking him what his name was, he an-

swered," I am Ram."

" What a foolish fellow you are," cried

Jackal," to let such a nice piece of flesh stand !

Why did you do so ? But we shall go to-morrow

and eat it together."

Next day the two set off for the kraal of

Ram, and as they appeared over a hill, Ram,who had turned out to look about him, and was

calculating where he should that day crop a

tender salad, saw them, and he immediately went

to his wife and said,"

I fear this is our last day,

for Jackal and Tiger are both coming against

us. What shall we do ?"

" Don't be afraid," said the wife," but take

up the child in your arms, go out with it, and

pinch it to make it cry as if it were hungry."

Ram did so as the confederates came on.

No sooner did Tiger cast his eyes on Ramthan fear again took possession of him, and he

wished to turn back. Jackal had provided

against this, and made Tiger fast to himself

with a leathern thong, and said," Come on,"

when Ram cried in a loud voice, and pinching

[20]

THE TIGER, THE RAM, THE JACKAL

his child at the same time," You have done

well, Friend Jackal, to have brought us Tigerto eat, for you hear how my child is crying for

food."

On these dreadful words Tiger, notwithstand-

ing the entreaties of Jackal to let him go, to

let him loose, set off in the greatest alarm,

dragged Jackal after him over hill and valley,

through bushes and over rocks, and never

stopped to look behind him till he brought back

himself and half-dead Jackal to his place again.And so Ram escaped.

THE JACKAL AND THE WOLF

ONCEon a time Jackal, who lived on

the borders of the colony, saw a

wagon returning from the seaside

laden with fish; he tried to get into the wagonfrom behind, but he could not; he then ran on

before and lay in the road as if dead. The

wagon came up to him, and the leader cried to

the driver," Here is a fine kaross for your

wife!"" Throw it into the wagon," said the driver,

and Jackal was thrown in.

The wagon traveled on, through a moonlight

night, and all the while Jackal was throwing

out the fish into the road; he then jumped out

himself and secured a great prize. But stupid

old Wolf (hyena), coming by, ate more than his

share, for which Jackal owed him a grudge, and

he said to him," You can get plenty of fish,

[22]

THE JACKAL AND THE WOLF

too, if you lie in the way of a wagon as I did,

and keep quite still whatever happens."

"So! "mumbled Wolf.

Accordingly, when the next wagon came from

the sea, Wolf stretched himself out in the road.

" What ugly thing is this ?"

cried the leader,

and kicked Wolf. He then took a stick and

thrashed him within an inch of his life. Wolf,

according to the directions of Jacka], lay quiet

as long as he could ; he then got up and hobbled

off to tell his misfortune to Jackal, who pre-

tended to comfort him.

" What a pity," said Wolf," I have not got

such a handsome skin as you have !

"

[23]

A JACKAL AND A WOLF

JACKAL

and Wolf went and hired them-

selves to a man to be his servants. In

the middle of the night Jackal rose and

smeared Wolf's tail with some fat, and then ate

all the rest of it in the house. In the morning

the man missed the fat, and he immediately ac-

cused Jackal of having eaten it." Look at

Wolf's tale," said the rogue," and you will see

who is the thief." The man did so, and then

thrashed Wolf till he was nearly dead.

[24]

THE LION, THE JACKAL, ANDTHE MAN

IT

so happened one day that Lion and Jack-

al came together to converse on affairs of

land and state. Jackal, let me say, was

the most important adviser to the king of the

forest, and after they had spoken about these

matters for quite a while, the conversation took

a more personal turn.

Lion began to boast and talk big about his

strength. Jackal had, perhaps, given him cause

for it, because by nature he was a flatterer. Butnow that Lion began to assume so many airs,

said he," See here, Lion, I will show you an

animal that is still more powerful than you are."

They walked along, Jackal leading the way,and met first a little boy.

"Is this the strong man? " asked Lion.

"No," answered Jackal,

" he must still be-

come a man, O king."

After a while they found an old man walking

[25]


with bowed head and supporting his bent figure

with a stick.

"Is this the wonderful strong man ?

" asked

Lion.

" Not yet, O king," was Jackal's answer," he

has been a man."

Continuing their walk a short distance far-

ther, they came across a young hunter, in the

prime of youth, and accompanied by some of

his dogs." There you have him now, O king," said

Jackal. " Pit your strength against his, and if

you win, then truly you are the strength of

the earth."

Then Jackal made tracks to one side toward

a little rocky kopje from which he would be able

to see the meeting.

Growling, growling, Lion strode forward to

meet the man, but when he came close the dogs

beset him. He, however, paid but little atten-

tion to the dogs, pushed and separated them

on all sides with a few sweeps of his front paws.

They howled aloud, beating a hasty retreat

toward the man.

[26]

THE LION, THE JACKAL, THE MAN

Thereupon the man fired a charge of shot,

hitting him behind the shoulder, but even to

this Lion paid but little attention. There-

upon the hunter pulled out his steel knife, and

gave him a few good jabs. Lion retreated, fol-

lowed by the flying bullets of the hunter.

"Well, are you strongest now? " was Jackal's

first question when Lion arrived at his side.

"No, Jackal," answered Lion,

"let that fel-

low there keep the name and welcome. Such as

he I have never before seen. In the first place he

had about ten of his bodyguard storm me. I

really did not bother myself much about them,

but when I attempted to turn him to chaff,

he spat and blew fire at me, mostly into myface, that burned just a little but not very

badly. And when I again endeavored to pull

him to the ground he jerked out from his bodyone of his ribs with which he gave me some very

ugly wounds, so bad that I had to make chips

fly, and as a parting he sent some warm bullets

after me. No, Jackal, give him the name."

[27]

THE WORLD'S REWARD

ONCEthere was a man that had an old

dog, so old that the man desired to

put him aside. The dog had served

him very faithfully when he was still young,

but ingratitude is the world's reward, and the

man now wanted to dispose of him. The old

dumb creature, however, ferreted out the plan

of his master, and so at once resolved to go away

of his own accord.

After he had walked quite a way he met an old

bull in the veldt.

" Don't you want to go with me? " asked the

dog." Where? " was the reply." To the land of the aged," said the dog,

" where troubles don't disturb you and thank-

lessness does not deface the deeds of man."

"Good," said the bull,

"I am your com-

panion."

[28]

THE WORLD'S REWARD

The two now walked on and found a ram.

The dog laid the plan before him, and all

moved off together, until they afterwards came

successively upon a donkey, a cat, a cock, and

a goose.

These joined their company, and the seven

set out on their j ourney.

Late one night they came to a house and

through the open door they saw a table spread

with all kinds of nice food, of which some rob-

bers were having their fill. It would help noth-

ing to ask for admittance, and seeing that they

were hungry, they must think of something else.

Therefore the donkey climbed up on the bull,

the ram on the donkey, the dog on the ram, the

cat on the dog, the goose on the cat, and the

cock on the goose, and with one accord they

all let out terrible (threatening) noises (cry-

ings).

The bull began to bellow, the donkey to bray,

the dog to bark, the ram to bleat, the cat to

mew, the goose to giggle gaggle, and the cock to

crow, all without cessation.

The people in the house were frightened per-

[29]


fectly limp ; they glanced out through the front

door, and there they stared on the strange sight.

Some of them took to the ropes over the back

lower door, some disappeared through the

window, and in a few counts the house was

empty.

Then the seven old animals climbed down from

one another, stepped into the house, and satis-

fied themselves with the delicious food.

But when they had finished, there still re-

mained a great deal of food, too much to take

with them on their remaining journey, and so

together they contrived a plan to hold their po-

sition until the next day after breakfast.

The dog said," Sec here, I am accustomed to

watch at the front door of my master's house,"

and thereupon flopped himself down to sleep ;

the bull said," I go behind the door," and there

he took his position ; the ram said," I will go

up on to the loft"

; the donkey,"

I at the middle

door "; the cat,

" I in the fireplace"

; the goose,"

I in the back door "; and the cock said,

" I am

going to sleep on the bed."

The captain of the robbers after a while sent

[30]

THE WORLD'S REWARD

one of his men back to see if these creatures had

yet left the house.

The man came very cautiously into the neigh-

borhood, listened and listened, but he heard

nothing; he peeped through the window, and

saw in the grate just two coals still glimmer-

ing, and thereupon started to walk through the

front door.

There the old dog seized him by the leg. He

jumped into the house, but the bull was ready,

swept him up with his horns, and tossed him on

to the loft. Here the ram received him and

pushed him off the loft again. Reaching ground,

he made for the middle door, but the donkey set

up a terrible braying and at the same time gave

him a kick that landed him in the fireplace, where

the cat flew at him and scratched him nearly to

pieces. He then jumped out through the back

door, and here the goose got him by the trousers.

When he was some distance away the cock

crowed. He thereupon ran so that you could

hear the stones rattle in the dark.

Purple and crimson and out of breath, he

came back to his companions.

[31]


"Frightful, frightful!" was all that they

could get from him at first, but after a while he

told them." When I looked through the window I saw

in the fireplace two bright coals shining, and

when I wanted to go through the front door to

go and look, I stepped into an iron trap. I

jumped into the house, and there some one

seized me with a fork and pitched me up on to

the loft, there again some one was ready, and

threw me down on all fours. I wanted to fly

through the middle door, but there some one

blew on a trumpet, and smote me with a sledge

hammer so that I did not know where I landed ;

but coming to very quickly, I found I was in the

fireplace, and there another flew at me and

scratched the eyes almost out of my head. I

thereupon fled out of the back door, and lastly

I was attacked on the leg by the sixth with a

pair of fire tongs, and when I was still run-

ning away, some one shouted out of the house,*

Stop him, stop h i m !

'

[32]

THE LION AND JACKAL

NOTbecause he was exactly the most

capable or progressive fellow in the

neighborhood, but because he always

gave that idea that is why Jackal slowly ac-

quired among the neighbors the name of a"progressive man." The truly well-bred people

around him, who did not wish to hurt his feel-

ings, seemed to apply this name to him, instead

of, for instance,"cunning scamp," or "

all-wise

rat-trap," as so many others often dubbed him.

He obtained this name of " a progressive man"

because he spoke most of the time English,

especially if he thought some of them were pres-

ent who could not understand it, and also be-

cause he could always hold his body so muchlike a judge on public occasions.

He had a smooth tongue, could make quite a

favorable speech, and especially with good ef-

fect could he expatiate on the backwardness of

[33]


others. Underneath he really was the most un-

lettered man in the vicinity, but he had perfect

control over his inborn cunningness, which al-

lowed him for a long time to go triumphantly

through life as a man of great ability.

One time, for instance, he lost his tail in an

iron trap. He had long attempted to reach the

Boer's goose pen, and had framed many good

plans, but when he came to his senses, he was

sitting in front of the goose pen with his tail

in the iron trap, the dogs all the time coming

for him. When he realized what it meant, he

mustered together all his strength and pulled

his tail, which he always thought so much of,

clean off.

This would immediately have made him the

butt of the whole neighborhood had he not

thought of a plan. He called together a meet-

ing of the jackals, and made them believe that

Lion had issued a proclamation to the effect

that all jackals in the future should be tailless,

because their beautiful tails were a thorn in the

eyes of more unfortunate animals.

In his smooth way he told them how he re-

[34]

THE LION AND JACKAL

gretted that the king should have the barbaric

right to interfere with his subjects. But so it

was ; and he thought the sooner he paid attention

to it the safer. Therefore he had had his tail

cut off already and he should advise all hismf

friends to do the same. And so it happened that

once all jackals for a long time were without

tails. Later on they grew again.

It was about the same time that Tiger hired

Jackal as a schoolmaster. Tiger was in those

days the richest man in the surrounding coun-

try, and as he had had to suffer a great deal

himself because he was so untutored, he wanted

his children to have the best education that could

be obtained.

It was shortly after a meeting, in which it

was shown how important a thing an education

was, that Tiger approached Jackal and asked

him to come and teach his children.

Jackal was very ready to do this. It was not

exactly his vocation, he said, but he would do it

to pass time and just out of friendship for his

neighbor. His and Tiger's farm lands lay next

each other.

[35]


That he did not make teaching his profession

and that he possessed no degree was of no ac-

count in the eyes of Tiger." Do not praise my goodness so much, Cousin

Jackal," laughed he." We know your worth

well enough. Much rather would I intrust myoffspring to you than to the many so-called

schoolmasters, for it is especially my wish, as

well as that of their mother, to have our children

obtain a progressive education, and to make such

men and women of them that with the same

ability as you have they can take their lawful

places in this world."

" One condition," said Jackal," I must state.

It will be very inconvenient for me, almost im-

possible, to come here to your farm and hold

school. My own farm would in that case go to

pieces, and that I cannot let happen. It would

never pay me."

Tiger answered that it was not exactly neces-

sary either. In spite of their attachment to the

little ones, they saw that it would probably be

to their benefit to place them for a while in a

stranger's house.

[36]

THE LION AND JACKAL

Jackal then told of his own bringing up byWolf. He remembered well how small he was

when his father sent him away to study with

Wolf. Naturally, since then, he had passed

through many schools, Wolf was only his first

teacher. And only in his later days did he real-

ize how much good it had done him.

" A man must bend the sapling while it is still

young," said he." There is no time that the

child is so open to impressions as when he is

plastic, about the age that most of your children

are at present, and I was just thinking youwould be doing a wise thing to send them awayfor quite a while."

He had, fortunately, just then a room in his

house that would be suited for a schoolroom,

and his wife could easily make some arrange-

ment for their lodging, even if they had to en-

large their dwelling somewhat.

It was then and there agreed upon. Tiger's

wife was then consulted about one thing and

another, and the following day the children were

to leave.

"I have just thought of one more thing," re-

[37]


marked Jackal," seven children, besides my lit-

tle lot, will be quite a care on our hands, so

you will have to send over each week a fat lamb,

and in order not to disturb their progress, the

children will have to relinquish the idea of a

vacation spent with you for some time. When

I think they have become used to the bit, I will

inform you, and then you can come and take

them to make you a short visit, but not until

then. "It is also better," continued he,

" that

they do not see you for the first while, but your

wife can come and see them every Saturday and

I will see to all else."

On the following day there was an unearthly

howling and wailing when the children were to

leave. But Tiger and their mother showed them

that it was best and that some day they would

see that it was all for their good, and that

their parents were doing it out of kindness.

Eventually they were gone.

The first Saturday dawned, and early that

morning Mrs. Tiger was on her way to Jackal's

dwelling, because she could not defer the time

any longer.

[38]

THE LION AND JACKAL

She was still a long way off when Jackal

caught sight of her. He always observed neigh-

borly customs, and so stepped out to meet

her.

After they had greeted each other, Mrs. Ti-

ger's first question was :

"Well, Cousin Jackal,

how goes everything with the small team? Are

they still all well and happy, and do they not

trouble you, Cousin Jackal, too much? "

"Oh, my goodness, no, Mrs. Tiger," answered

Jackal enthusiastically," but don't let us talk

so loud, because if they heard you, it certainly

would cause them many heartfelt tears and they

might also want to go back with you and then

all our trouble would have been for nothing."" But I would like to see them, Cousin

Jackal," said Mrs. Tiger a little disturbed.

" Why certainly, Mrs. Tiger," was his. an-

swer," but I do not think it is wise for them

to see you. I will lift them up to the window

one by one, and then you can put your mind

at rest concerning their health and progress."

After Mr. and Mrs. Jackal and Mrs. Tiger

had sat together for some time drinking coffee

[39]


and talking over one thing and another, Jackal

took Tiger's wife to a door and told her to look

through it, out upon the back yard. There he

would show her the children one by one, while

they would not be able to see her. Everything

was done exactly as Jackal had said, but the

sixth little tiger he picked up twice, because the

firstborn he had the day before prepared in

pickle for their Sunday meal.

And so it happened every Saturday until the

last little tiger which was the youngest had

to be lifted up seven times in succession.

And when Mrs. Tiger came again the follow-

ing week all was still as death and everything

seemed to have a deserted appearance on the

estate. She walked straight to the front door,

and there she found a letter in the poll grass

near the door, which read thus :

" We have gone for a picnic with the children.

From there we will ride by Jackalsdance for

New Year. This is necessary for the comple-

tion of their progressive education."

JACKAL.

[40]

THE LION AND JACKAL

Saturday after Saturday did Mrs. Tiger go

and look, but every time Jackal's house seemed

to look more deserted; and after a while there

was a spider's web over the door and the trail

of Snake showed that he, too, had taken up his

abode there.

[41]

TINK-TINKJE

THEbirds wanted a king. Men have

a king, so have animals, and whyshouldn't they? All had assembled.

" The Ostrich, because he is the largest," one

called out.

"No, he can't fly."

"Eagle, on account of his strength."

" Not he, he is too ugly.""Vulture, because he can fly the highest."

"No, Vulture is too dirty, his odor is ter-

rible."

"Peacock, he is so beautiful."

" His feet are too ugly, and also his voice."

"Owl, because he can see well."

" Not Owl, he is ashamed of the light."

And so they got no further. Then one

shouted aloud," He who can fly the highest will

be king.""Yes, yes," they all screamed, and

[42]

TINK-TINKJE

at a given signal they all ascended straight upinto the sky.

Vulture flew for three whole days without

stopping, straight toward the sun. Then he

cried aloud,"I am the highest, I am king."

"T-sie, t-sie, t-sie," he heard above him.

There Tink-tinkje was flying. He had held fast

to one of the great wing feathers of Vulture,

and had never been felt, he was so light."

T-sie,

t-sie, t-sie, I am the highest, I am king," piped

Tink-tinkje.

Vulture flew for another day still ascending." I am highest, I am king."

"T-sie, t-sie, t-sie, I am the highest, I am

king," Tink-tinkje mocked. There he was

again, having crept out from under the wing of

Vulture.

Vulture flew on the fifth day straight up in

the air." I am the highest, I am king," he

called.

"T-sie, t-sie, t-sie," piped the little fellow

above him. "I am the highest, I am king."

Vulture was tired and now flew direct to

earth. The other birds were mad through and

[43]


through. Tink-tinkje must die because he had

taken advantage of Vulture's feathers and there

hidden himself. All flew after him and he had

to take refuge in a mouse hole. But how were

they to get him out? Some one must stand

guard to seize him the moment he put out his

head.

" Owl must keep guard ; he has the largest

eyes ; he can see well," they exclaimed.

Owl went and took up his position before

the hole. The sun was warm and soon Owl be-

came sleepy and presently he was fast asleep.

Tink-tinkje peeped, saw that Owl was asleep,

and z-zip away he went. Shortly afterwards

the other birds came to see if Tink-tinkje were

still in the hole."

T-sie, t-sie," they heard in

a tree; and there the little vagabond was sit-

ting.

White-crow, perfectly disgusted, turned

around and exclaimed,"Now I won't say a single

word more." And from that day to this White-

crow has never spoken. Even though you strike

him, he makes no sound, he utters no cry.

[44]

THE LION AND JACKAL

LIONhad now caught a large eland which

lay dead on the top of a high bank.

Lion was thirsty and wanted to go and

drink water. "Jackal, look after my eland, I

am going to get a drink. Don't you eat any.""Very well, Uncle Lion."

Lion went to the river and Jackal quietly re-

moved a stone on which Lion had to step to

reach the bank on his return. After that Jackal

and his wife ate heartily of the eland. Lion re-

turned, but could not scale the bank. "Jackal,

help me," he shouted."Yes, Uncle Lion, I will let down a rope and

then you can climb up."

Jackal whispered to his wife," Give me one

of the old, thin hide ropes." And then aloud

he added,"Wife, give me one of the strong,

buffalo ropes, so Uncle Lion won't fall."

His wife gave him an old rotten rope. Jackal

[45]


and his wife first ate ravenously of the meat,

then gradually let the rope down. Lion seized

it and struggled up. When he neared the brink

Jackal gave the rope a jerk. It broke and down

Lion began to roll rolled the whole way down,

and finally lay at the foot near the river.

Jackal began to beat a dry hide that lay there

as he howled, cried, and shouted :

"Wife, why

did you give me such a bad rope that caused

Uncle Lion to fall?"

Lion heard the row and roared,"Jackal, stop

beating your wife. I will hurt you if you don't

cease. Help me to climb up."" Uncle Lion, I will give you a rope." Whis-

pering again to his wife," Give me one of the

old, thin hide ropes," and shouting aloud again," Give me a strong, buffalo rope, wife, that will

not break again with Lion."

Jackal gave out the rope, and when Lion had

nearly reached the top, he cut the rope through.

Snap! and Lion began to roll to the bottom.

Jackal again beat on the hide and shouted,"Wife, why did you give me such a rotten rope?

Didn't I tell you to give me a strong one? " Lion

[46]

THE LION AND JACKAL

roared,"Jackal, stop beating your wife at once.

Help me instantly or you will be sorry."*

Wife," Jackal said aloud,"give me now the

strongest rope you have," and aside to her," Give me the worst rope of the lot."

Jackal again let down a rope, but just as

Lion reached the top, Jackal gave a strong tugand broke the rope. Poor old Lion rolled downthe side of the hill and lay there roaring from

pain. He had been fatally hurt.

Jackal inquired," Uncle Lion, have you hurt

yourself? Have you much pain ? Wait a while,

I am coming directly to help you." Jackal andhis wife slowly walked away.

[47]

LION AND JACKAL

THELion and the Jackal agreed to hunt

on shares, for the purpose of laying in

a stock of meat for the winter months

for their families.

As the Lion was by far the more expert hunter

of the two, the Jackal suggested that he (him-

self) should be employed in transporting the

game to their dens, and that Mrs. Jackal and

the little Jackals should prepare and dry the

meat, adding that they would take care that

Mrs. Lion and her family should not want.

This was agreed to by the Lion, and the hunt

commenced.

After a very successful hunt, which lasted for

some time, the Lion returned to see his family,

and also to enjoy, as he thought, a plentiful

supply of his spoil ; when, to his utter surprise,

he found Mrs. Lion and all the young Lions on

the point of death from sheer hunger, and in a

[48]

LION AND JACKAL

mangy state. The Jackal, it appeared, had

only given them a few entrails of the game, and

in such limited quantities as barely to keep them

alive; always telling them that they (i.e., the

Lion and himself) had been most unsuccessful

in their hunting; while his own family was

reveling in abundance, and each member of it

was sleek and fat.

This was too much for the Lion to bear. He

immediately started off in a terrible fury, vow-

ing certain death to the Jackal and all his fam-

ily, wherever he should meet them. The Jackal

was more or less prepared for a storm, and had

taken the precaution to remove all his belong-

ings to the top of a krantz (i. e., a cliff), acces-

sible only by a most difficult and circuitous path,

which he alone knew.

When the Lion saw him on the krantz, the

Jackal immediately greeted him by calling out,

" Good morning, Uncle Lion."

" How dare you call me uncle, you impu-

dent scoundrel," roared out the Lion, in a voice

of thunder," after the way in which you have

behaved to my family ?"

[49]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES"Oh, Uncle ! How shall I explain matters ?

That beast of a wife of mine !

"Whack, whack

was heard, as he beat with a stick on dry

hide, which was a mere pretence for Mrs.

Jackal's back; while that lady was prein-

structed to scream whenever he operated on

the hide, which she did with a vengeance, joined

by the little Jackals, who set up a most dole-

ful chorus. " That wretch !

"said the Jackal.

"It is all her doing. I shall kill her straight

off," and away he again belabored the hide,

while his wife and children uttered such a dis-

mal howl that the Lion begged of him to

leave off flogging his wife. After cooling down

a little, he invited Uncle Lion to come up and

have something to eat. The Lion, after sev-

eral ineffectual attempts to scale the precipice,

had to give it up.

The Jackal, always ready for emergencies,

suggested that a reim should be lowered to haul

up his uncle. This was agreed to, and when

the Lion was drawn about halfway up by the

whole family of Jackals, the reim was cleverly

cut, and down went the Lion with a tremendous

[50]

LION AND JACKAL

crash which hurt him very much. Upon this,

the Jackal again performed upon the hide with

tremendous force, for their daring to give him

such a rotten reim, and Mrs. Jackal and the

little ones responded with some fearful screams

and yells. He then called loudly out to his wife

for a strong buffalo reim which would support

any weight. This again was lowered and fas-

tened to the Lion, when all hands pulled awayat their uncle; and, just when he had reached

so far that he could look over the precipice into

the pots to see all the fat meat cooking, and

all the biltongs hanging out to dry, the reim

was again cut, and the poor Lion fell with such

force that he was fairly stunned for some time.

After the Lion had recovered his senses, the

Jackal, in a most sympathizing tone, suggested

that he was afraid that it was of no use to at-

tempt to haul him up onto the precipice, and

recommended, instead, that a nice fat piece of

eland's breast be roasted and dropped into the

Lion's mouth. The Lion, half famished with

hunger, and much bruised, readily accepted the

offer, and sat eagerly awaiting the fat morsel.

[51]


In the mean time, the Jackal had a round stone

made red-hot, and wrapped a quantity of inside

fat, or suet, round it, to make it appear like

a ball of fat. When the Lion saw it held out,

he opened his capacious mouth to the utmost

extent, and the wily Jackal cleverly dropped the

hot ball right into it, which ran through the

poor old beast, killing him on the spot.

It need hardly be told that there was great re-

joicing on the precipice that night.

[52]

THE HUNT OF LION ANDJACKAL

LIONand Jackal, it is said, were one day

lying in wait for Eland. Lion shot

(with a bow) and missed, but Jackal

hit and sang out," Hah ! hah !

"

Lion said,"No, you did not shoot anything.

It was I who hit."

Jackal answered,"Yea, my father, thou hast

hit."

Then they went home in order to return

when the eland was dead, and cut it up. Jackal,

however, turned back, unknown to Lion, hit his

nose so that the blood ran on the spoor of the

eland, and followed their track thus, in order

to cheat Lion. When he had gone some dis-

tance, he returned by another way to the dead

eland, and creeping into its carcass, cut out all

the fat.

Meanwhile Lion followed the blood-stained

[53]


spoor of Jackal, thinking that it was eland

blood, and only when he had gone some distance

did he find out that he had been deceived. Hethen returned on Jackal's spoor, and reached

the dead eland, where, finding Jackal in its car-

cass, he seized him by his tail and drew him out

with a swing.

Lion upbraided Jackal with these words:"Why do you cheat me? ' :

Jackal answered :

"No, my father, I do not

cheat you; you may know it, I think. I pre-

pared this fat for you, father."

Lion said :

" Then take the fat and carry

it to your mother "(the lioness) ; and he gave

him the lungs to take to his own wife and chil-

dren.

When Jackal arrived, he did not give the fat

to Lion's wife, but to his own wife and children ;

he gave, however, the lungs to Lion's wife, and

he pelted Lion's little children with the lungs,

saying :

" You children of the big-pawed one !

You big-pawed ones !

51

[54]

THE HUNT OF LION AND JACKAL

He said to Lioness,"

I go to help my father ' ;

(the lion) ; but he went far away with his wife

and children.

[55]

STORY OF LION AND LITTLEJACKAL

LITTLE

JACKAL one day went out

hunting, when he met Lion. Lion pro-

posed that they should hunt together,

on condition that if a small antelope was killed

it was to be Little Jackal's, and if a large one

was killed it was to be Lion's. Little Jackal

agreed to this.

The first animal killed was a large eland.

Lion was very glad, and said to Little Jackal:" I will continue hunting while you go to myhouse and call my children to carry the meat

home."

Little Jackal replied :

"Yes, I agree to

that."

Lion went away to hunt. When he had gone,

Little Jackal went to his own house and called

his own children to carry away the meat. He

said :

" Lion takes me for a fool if he thinks

[56]

LION AND LITTLE JACKAL

I will call his children while my own are dyingwith hunger."

So Little Jackal's children carried the meat to

their home on the top of a high rock, where the

only way to get to their house was by means of

a rope.

Lion caught nothing more, and after a time

he went home and asked his wife where the meat

was. She told him there was no meat. He said :

' Did not Little Jackal bring a message to mychildren to carry meat ?

"

His wife replied :"No, he was not here. We

are still dying with hunger."

Lion then went to Little Jackal's house, but

he could not get up the rock to it. So he sat

down by the water, waiting. After a time Lit-

tle Jackal went to get some water. He was

close to the water when he saw Lion. He at

once ran away, and Lion ran after him. He ran

into a hole under a tree, but Lion caught his

tail before he got far in. He said to him :

" That

is not my tail you have hold of; it is a root

of the tree. If you do not believe me, take a

stone and strike it, and see if any blood comes."

[57]


Lion let go the tail, and went for a stone to

prove what it was. While he was gone for the

stone, Little Jackal went far into the hole.

When Lion returned he could not be found.

Lion lay down by the hole and waited. After

a long time Little Jackal wanted to come out.

He went to the entrance and looked round, but

he could not see Lion. To make sure, he said:

"Ho, I see you, my master, although you are

in hiding."

Lion did not move from the place where he

lay concealed. Then Little Jackal went out,

and Lion pursued him, but he got away.

Lion watched for him, and one day, when Lit-

tle Jackal was out hunting, he came upon him

in a place where he could not escape. Lion was

just about to spring upon him, when Little

Jackal said softly :

" Be still, do you not see

that bushbuck on the other side of the rock? I

am glad you have come to help me. Just re-

main here while I run round and drive him

toward you."

Lion did so, and Little Jackal made his es-

cape.

[58]


At another time there was a meeting of the

animals, and Lion was the chief at the meeting.

Little Jackal wanted to attend, but there was a

law made that no one should be present unless

he had horns. So Little Jackal took wax out

of a nest of bees, and made horns for himself

with it. He fastened the horns on his head, and

went to the meeting. Lion did not know him

on account of the horns. But he sat near the

fire and went to sleep, when the horns melted.

Lion looked at him and saw who it was. He

immediately tried to catch him, but Little Jackal

was quick in springing away. He ran under an

overhanging rock and sang out :

"Help ! help !

this rock is falling upon me !

"

Lion went for a pole to prop up the rock

that he might get at Little Jackal. While he

was away, Little Jackal escaped.

After that, they became companions again,

and went hunting another time. They killed an

ox. Lion said :

"I will watch it while you carry

the pieces away."Lion gave him the breast, and said :

" Take

this to my wife."

[59]


Little Jackal took it to his own wife. When

he returned, Lion gave him a shin, and said:

" Take this to your wife."

Little Jackal took the shin to Lion's house.

Lion's wife said :

" I cannot take this because

it should not come here."

Little Jackal thereupon struck Lion's wife in

the face, and went back to the place where the

ox was killed. Lion gave him a large piece of

meat and said :

" Take this to my wife."

Little Jackal took it to his own wife. This

continued till the ox was finished. Then they

both went home. When Lion arrived at his

house he found there was weeping in his family.

His wife said :

"Is it you who sent Little

Jackal to beat me and my children, and is it

you who sent this shin ? Did I ever eat a shin ?"

When Lion heard this he was very angry and

at once went to Little Jackal's house. When he

reached the rock, Little Jackal looked down and

said :

" Who are you, and what is your name,

and whose son are you, and where are you from,

and where are you going to, and whom do you

want, and what do you want him for? r

[60]


Lion replied :"I have merely come to see

you. I wish you to let down the rope."

Little Jackal let down a rope made of mouse

skins, and when Lion climbed a little way up,

the rope broke, and he fell and was hurt. Hethen went home.

[61]

THE LIONESS AND THEOSTRICH

IT

is said, once a lioness roared, and the os-

trich also roared. The lioness went toward

the place where the ostrich was. They met.

The lioness said to the ostrich," Please to

roar." The ostrich roared. Then the lioness

roared. The voices were equal. The lioness

said to the ostrich," You are my match."

Then the lioness said to the ostrich," Let us

hunt game together." They saw eland and made

toward it. The lioness caught only one ; the

ostrich killed a great many by striking them

with the claw which was on his leg ; but the lion-

ess killed only one. When they had met after

the hunting they went to the game, and the lion-

ess saw that the ostrich had killed a great deal.

Now, the lioness also had young cubs. Theywent to the shade to rest themselves. The

lioness said to the ostrich," Get up and rip

[62]

THE LIONESS AND THE OSTRICH

open ; let us eat." Said the ostrich," Go and

rip open ; I shall eat the blood." The lioness

stood up and ripped open, and ate with the

cubs. And when she had eaten, the ostrich got

up and ate the blood. They went to sleep.

The cubs played about. While they were

playing, they went to the ostrich, who was

asleep. When he went to sleep he also opened

his mouth. The young lions saw that the os-

trich had no teeth. They went to their mother

and said," This fellow, who says he is your

equal, has no teeth ; he is insulting you." Then

the lioness went to wake the ostrich, and said," Get up, let us fight

"; and they fought. And

the ostrich said," Go to that side of the ant-

hill, and I will go to this side of it." The os-

trich struck the ant-hill, and sent it toward the

lioness. But the second time he struck the lion-

ess in a vulnerable spot, near the liver, and

killed her.

[63]

CROCODILE'S TREASON

CROCODILE

was, in the days when ani-

mals still could talk, the acknowledged

foreman of all water creatures and if

one should judge from appearances one would

say that he still is. But in those days it was

his especial duty to have a general care of all

water animals, and when one year it was exceed-

ingly dry, and the water of the river where they

had lived dried up and became scarce, he was

forced to make a plan to trek over to another

river a short distance from there.

He first sent Otter out to spy. He stayed

away two days and brought back a report that

there was still good water in the other river,

real sea-cow holes, that not even a drought of

several years could dry up.

After he had ascertained this, Crocodile called

to his side Tortoise and Alligator.

.[64]

CROCODILE'S TREASON" Look here," said he,

"I need you two to-

night to carry a report to Lion. So then get

ready; the veldt is dry, and you will probably

have to travel for a few days without any water.

We must make peace with Lion and his sub-

jects, otherwise we utterly perish this year.

And he must help us to trek over to the other

river, especially past the Boer's farm that lies in

between, and to travel unmolested by any of the

animals of the veldt, so long as the trek lasts.

A fish on land is sometimes a very helpless thing-,

as you all know." The two had it mighty hard

in the burning sun, and on the dry veldt, but

eventually they reached Lion and handed him

the treaty." What is going on now? "

thought Lion to

himself, when he had read it." I must consult

Jackal first," said he. But to the commission-

ers he gave back an answer that he would be

the following evening with his advisers at the

appointed place, at the big vaarland willow tree,

at the farther end of the hole of water, where

Crocodile had his headquarters.

When Tortoise and Alligator came back,

[65]


Crocodile was exceedingly pleased with himself

at the turn the case had taken.

He allowed Otter and a few others to be pres-

ent and ordered them on that evening to have

ready plenty of fish and other eatables for their

guests under the vaarland willow.

That evening as it grew dark Lion appeared

with Wolf, Jackal, Baboon, and a few other im-

portant animals, at the appointed place, and

they were received in the most open-hearted man-

ner by Crocodile and the other water creatures.

Crocodile was so glad at the meeting of the

animals that he now and then let fall a great tear

of joy that disappeared into the sand. After the

other animals had done well by the fish, Croco-

dile laid bare to them the condition of affairs

and opened up his plan. He wanted only peace

among all animals ; for they not only destroyed

one another, but the Boer, too, would in time

destroy them all.

The Boer had already stationed at the source

of the river no less than three steam pumps to

irrigate his land, and the water was becoming

scarcer every day. More than this, he took ad-

[66]

CROCODILE'S TREASON

vantage of their unfortunate position by mak-

ing them sit in the shallow water and then, one

after the other, bringing about their death. As

Lion was, on this account, inclined to make

peace, it was to his glory to take this oppor-

tunity and give his hand to these peace-mak-

ing water creatures, and carry out their partof the contract, namely, escort them from the

dried-up water, past the Boer's farm and to the

long sea-cow pools." And what benefit shall we receive from it?

"

asked Jackal.

"Well," answered Crocodile, "the peace made

is of great benefit to both sides. We will not

exterminate each other. If you desire to come

and drink water, you can do so with an easy

mind, and not be the least bit nervous that I,

or any one of us will seize you by the nose ; and

so also with all the other animals. And from

your side we are to be freed from Elephant, who

has the habit, whenever he gets the opportunity,

of tossing us with his trunk up into some openand narrow fork of a tree and there allowing us

to become biltong."

[67]


Lion and Jackal stepped aside to consult with

one another, and then Lion wanted to know what

form of security he would have that Crocodile

would keep to his part of the contract.

"I stake my word of honor," was the prompt

answer from Crocodile, and he let drop a few

more long tears of honesty into the sand.

Baboon then said it was all square and hon-

est as far as he could see into the case. He

thought it was nonsense to attempt to dig pit-

falls for one another ; because he personally was

well aware that his race would benefit some-

what from this contract of peace and friend-

ship. And more than this, they must consider

that use must be made of the fast disappear-

ing water, for even in the best of times it was

an unpleasant thing to be always carrying yourlife about in your hands. He would, however,

like to suggest to the King that it would be

well to have everything put down in writing,

so that there would be nothing to regret in case

it was needed.

Jackal did not want to listen to the agree-

ment. He could not see that it would benefit

[68]

CROCODILE'S TREASON

the animals of the veldt. But Wolf, who had

fully satisfied himself with the fish, was in an

exceptionally peace-loving mood, and he advised

Lion again to close the agreement.

After Lion had listened to all his advisers,

and also the pleading tones of Crocodile's fol-

lowers, he held forth in a speech in which he

said that he was inclined to enter into the agree-

ment, seeing that it was clear that Crocodile and

his subjects were in a very tight place.

There and then a document was drawn up,

and it was resolved, before midnight, to begin

the trek. Crocodile's messengers swam in all

directions to summon together the water ani-

mals for the trek.

Frogs croaked and crickets chirped in the

long water grass. It was not long before all

the animals had assembled at the vaarland wil-

low. In the meantime Lion had sent out a few

despatch riders to his subjects to raise a com-

mando for an escort, and long ere midnight these

also were at the vaarland willow in the moon-

light.

The trek then was regulated by Lion and

[69]


Jackal. Jackal was to take the lead to act

as spy, and when he was able to draw Lion to

one side, he said to him :

" See here, I do not trust this affair one bit,

and I want to tell you straight out, I am going

to make tracks ! I will spy for you until youreach the sea-cow pool, but I am not going to

be the one to await your arrival there."

Elephant had to act as advance guard be-

cause he could walk so softly and could hear

and smell so well. Then came Lion with one di-

vision of the animals, then Crocodile's trek with

a flank protection of both sides, and Wolf re-

ceived orders to bring up the rear.

Meanwhile, while all this was being arranged,

Crocodile was smoothly preparing his treason.

He called Yellow Snake to one side and said to

him :" It is to our advantage to have these ani-

mals, who go among us every day, and who will

continue to do so, fall into the hands of the

Boer. Listen, now! You remain behind un-

noticed, and when you hear me shout you will

know that we have arrived safely at the sea-

cow pool. Then you must harass the Boer's

[70]

CROCODILE'S TREASON

dogs as much as you can, and the rest will look

out for themselves."

Thereupon the trek moved on. It was neces-

sary to go very slowly as many of the water

animals were not accustomed to the journey on

land; but they trekked past the Boer's farm

in safety, and toward break of day they were

all safely at the sea-cow pool. There most of

the water animals disappeared suddenly into the

deep water, and Crocodile also began to make

preparations to follow their example. With

tearful eyes he said to Lion that he was, oh,

so thankful for the help, that, from pure re-

lief and joy, he must first give vent to his feel-

ings by a few screams. Thereupon he suited his

words to actions so that even the mountains

echoed, and then thanked Lion on behalf of his

subjects, and purposely continued with a long

speech, dwelling on all the benefits both sides

would derive from the agreement of peace.

Lion was just about to say good day and

take his departure, when the first shot fell, and

with it Elephant and a few other animals.

I told you all so !

'" shouted Jackal from

[71]

c.


the other side of the sea-cow pool." Why did

you allow yourselves to be misled by a few Croc-

odile tears ?"

Crocodile had disappeared long ago into the

water. All one saw was just a lot of bubbles;

and on the banks there was an actual war against

the animals. It simply crackled the way the

Boers shot them.

But most of them, fortunately, came out of

it alive.

Shortly after, they say, Crocodile received his

well-earned reward, when he met a driver with

a load of dynamite. And even now when the

Elephant gets the chance he pitches them upinto the highest forks of the trees.

[72]

THE STORY OF A DAM

THERE

was a great drought in the land ;

and Lion called together a number of

animals so that they might devise a

plan for retaining water when the rains fell.

The animals which attended at Lion's sum-

mons were Baboon, Leopard, Hyena, Jackal,

Hare, and Mountain Tortoise.

It was agreed that they should scratch a large

hole in some suitable place to hold water; and

the next day they all began to work, with the

exception of Jackal, who continually hovered

about in that locality, and was overheard to

mutter that he was not going to scratch his

nails off in making water holes.

When the dam was finished the rains fell, and

it was soon filled with water, to the great delight

of those who had worked so hard at it. The

first one, however, to come and drink there,

was Jackal, who not only drank, but filled his

[73]


clay pot with water, and then proceeded to

swim in the rest of the water, making it as muddyand dirty as he could.

This was brought to the knowledge of Lion,

who was very angry and ordered Baboon to

guard the water the next day, armed with a

huge knobkirrie. Baboon was concealed in a

bush close to the water ; but Jackal soon became

aware of his presence there, and guessed its

cause. Knowing the fondness of baboons for

honey, Jackal at once hit upon a plan, and

marching to and fro, every now and then dipped

his fingers into his clay pot, and licked them

Avith an expression of intense relish, saying, in

a low voice to himself,"

I don't want any of

their dirty water when I have a pot full of de-

licious honey." This was too much for poor

Baboon, whose mouth began to water. He soon

began to beg Jackal to give him a little honey,

as he had been watching for several hours, and

was very hungry and tired.

After taking no notice of Baboon at first,

Jackal looked round, and said, in a patroniz-

ing manner, that he pitied such an unfortunate

[74]

THE STORY OF A DAM

creature, and would give him some honey on

certain conditions, viz., that Baboon should give

up his knobkirrie and allow himself to be bound

by Jackal. He foolishly agreed ; and was soon

tied in such a manner that he could not move

hand or foot.

Jackal now proceeded to drink of the water,

to fill his pot, and to swim in the sight of Bab-

oon, from time to time telling him what a fool-

ish fellow he had been to be so easily duped, and

that he (Jackal) had no honey or anythingelse to give him, excepting a good blow on the

head every now and then with his own knob-

kirrie.

The animals soon appeared and found poorBaboon in this sorry plight, looking the picture

of misery. Lion was so exasperated that he

caused Baboon to be severely punished, and to

be denounced as a fool.

Tortoise hereupon stepped forward, and of-

fered his services for the capture of Jackal.

It was at first thought that he was merely jok-

ing; but when he explained in what manner he

proposed to catch him, his plan was consid-

[75]


ered so feasible that his offer was accepted. He

proposed that a thick coating of "bijenwerk

"

(a kind of sticky black substance found on bee-

hives) should be spread all over him, and that

he should then go and stand at the entrance

of the dam, on the water level, so that Jackal

might tread upon him and stick fast. This was

accordingly done and Tortoise posted there.

The next day, when Jackal came, he ap-

proached the water very cautiously, and won-

dered to find no one there. He then ventured

to the entrance of the water, and remarked how

kind they had been in placing there a large black

stepping-stone for him. As soon, however, as

he trod upon the supposed stone, he stuck fast,

and saw that he had been tricked; for Tor-

toise now put his head out and began to move.

Jackal's hind feet being still free he threatened

to smash Tortoise with them if he did not let

him go. Tortoise merely answered," Do as you

like." Jackal thereupon made a violent jump,

and found, with horror, that his hind feet were

now also fast."Tortoise," said he,

"I have

still my mouth and teeth left, and will eat you

[76]

THE STORY OF A DAMalive if you do not let me go."

" Do as you

like," Tortoise again replied. Jackal, in his

endeavors to free himself, at last made a des-

perate bite at Tortoise, and found himself fixed,

both head and feet. Tortoise, feeling proud of

his successful capture, now marched quietly upto the top of the bank with Jackal on his back,

so that he could easily be seen by the animals

as they came to the water.

They were indeed astonished to find how clev-

erly the crafty Jackal had been caught; and

Tortoise was much praised, while the unhappyBaboon was again reminded of his misconduct

when set to guard the water.

Jackal was at once condemned to death byLion; and Hyena was to execute the sentence.

Jackal pleaded hard for mercy, but finding this

useless, he made a last request to Lion (always,

as he said, so fair and just in his dealings) that

he should not have to suffer a lingering death.

Lion inquired of him in what manner he

wished to die ; and he asked that his tail mightbe shaved and rubbed with a little fat, and that

Hyena might then swing him round twice- and

[77]


dash his brains out upon a stone. This, being

considered sufficiently fair by Lion, was ordered

by him to be carried out in his presence.

When Jackal's tail had been shaved and

greased, Hyena caught hold of him with great

force, and before he had fairly lifted him from

the ground, the cunning Jackal had slipped

away from Hyena's grasp, and was running for

his life, pursued by all the animals.

Lion was the foremost pursuer, and after a

great chase Jackal got under an overhanging

precipice, and, standing on his hind legs with

his shoulders pressed against the rock, called

loudly to Lion to help him, as the rock was fall-

ing, and would crush them both. Lion put his

shoulders to the rock, and exerted himself to

the utmost. After some little time Jackal pro-

posed that he should creep slowly out, and fetch

a large pole to prop up the rock, so that Lion

could get out and save his life. Jackal did

creep out, and left Lion there to starve and die.

[78]

THE DANCE FOR WATER ORRABBIT'S TRIUMPH

THERE

was a frightful drought. The

rivers after a while dried up and even

the springs gave no water.

The animals wandered around seeking drink,

but to no avail. Nowhere was water to be found.

A great gathering of animals was held : Lion,

Tiger, Wolf, Jackal, Elephant, all of them came

together. What was to be done ? That was the

question. One had this plan, and another had

that ; but no plan seemed of value.

Finally one of them suggested :

"Come, let all

of us go to the dry river bed and dance ; in that

way we can tread out the water."

Good! Everyone was satisfied and ready to

begin instantly, excepting Rabbit, who said,"I

will not go and dance. All of you are mad to

attempt to get water from the ground by danc-

ing."

[79]


The other animals danced and danced, and ul-

timately danced the water to the surface. How

glad they were. Everyone drank as much as

he could, but Rabbit did not dance with them.

So it was decided that Rabbit should have no

water.

He laughed at them :

"I will nevertheless

drink some of your water."

That evening he proceeded leisurely to the

river bed where the dance had been, and drank

as much as he wanted. The following morning

the animals saw the footprints of Rabbit in the

ground, and Rabbit shouted to them :

" Aha ! I

did have some of the water, and it was most

refreshing and tasted fine."

Quickly all the animals were called together.

What were they to do? How were they to get

Rabbit in their hands? All had some means to

propose; the one suggested this, and the other

that.

Finally old Tortoise moved slowly forward,

foot by foot :

"I will catch Rabbit."

" You? How? What do you think of your-

self?" shouted the others in unison.

[80]

RABBIT'S TRIUMPH" Rub my shell with pitch,

1 and I will go to

the edge of the water and lie down. I will then

resemble a stone, so that when Rabbit steps on

me his feet will stick fast."

" Yes ! Yes ! That's good."

And in a one, two, three, Tortoise's shell was

covered with pitch, and foot by foot he moved

away to the river. At the edge, close to the

water, he lay down and drew his head into his

shell.

Rabbit during the evening came to get a

drink." Ha !

" he chuckled sarcastically,"they

are, after all, quite decent. Here they have

placed a stone, so now I need not unnecessarily

wet my feet."

Rabbit trod with his left foot on the stone,

and there it stuck. Tortoise then put his head

out." Ha ! old Tortoise ! And it's you, is it,

that's holding me. But here I still have another

foot. I'll give you a good clout." Rabbit gave

Tortoise what he said he would with his right

fore foot, hard and straight ; and there his foot

remained.

1 Black beeswax.

[81]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES"

I have yet a hind foot, and with it I'll kick

you." Rabbit drove his hind foot down. This

also rested on Tortoise where it struck.

" But still another foot remains, and now I'll

tread you." He stamped his foot down, but it

stuck like the others.

He used his head to hammer Tortoise, and his

tail as a whip, but both met the same fate as

his feet, so there he was tight and fast down to

the pitch.

Tortoise now slowly turned himself round and

foot by foot started for the other animals, with

Rabbit on his back.

" Ha ! ha ! ha ! Rabbit ! How does it look

now? Insolence does not pay after all," shouted

the animals.

Now advice was sought. What should they

do with Rabbit? He certainly must die. But

how? One said, "Behead him"; another," Some severe penalty."

"Rabbit, how are we to kill you ?

"

"It does not affect me," Rabbit said.

"Only

a shameful death please do not pronounce."" And what is that ?

"they all shouted.

[82]

RABBIT'S TRIUMPH" To take me by my tail and dash my head

against a stone; that I pray and beseech youdon't do."

"No, but just so you'll die. That is de-

cided."

It was decided Rabbit should die by taking

him by his tail and dashing his head to pieces

against some stone. But who is to do it ?

Lion, because he is the most powerful one.

Good! Lion should do it. He stood up,

walked to the front, and poor Rabbit was

brought to him. Rabbit pleaded and beseeched

that he couldn't die such a miserable death.

Lion took Rabbit firmly by the tail and

swung him around. The white skin slipped off

from Rabbit, and there Lion stood with the

white bit of skin and hair in his paw. Rabbit

was free.

[83]

JACKAL AND MONKEY

EVERYevening Jackal went to the

Boer's kraal. He crept through the

sliding door and stole a fat younglamb. This, clever Jackal did several times in

succession. Boer set a wip1 for him at the

door. Jackal went again and zip there he

was caught around the body by the noose. He

swung and swayed high in the air and couldn't

touch ground. The day began to dawn and

Jackal became uneasy.

On a stone kopje, Monkey sat. When it be-

came light he could see the whole affair, and

descended hastily for the purpose of mockingJackal. He went and sat on the wall.

"Ha,

1 Wip : A Dutch word for springle, consisting of a bent

green stick, to which a noose is attached at one end; the

trap is delicately adjusted by a cross stick, which when trod

on releases the bent bough, pulling the noose quickly around

the animal and into the air.

[84]

JACKAL AND MONKEY

ha, good morning. So there you are hanging

now, eventually caught."" What ? I caught ? I am simply swinging

for my pleasure; it is enjoyable."" You fibber. You are caught in the wip.""

If you but realized how nice it was to swing

and sway like this, you wouldn't hesitate.

Come, try it a little. You feel so healthy and

strong for the day, and you never tire after-

wards.""No, I won't. You are caught."

After a while Jackal convinced Monkey. He

sprang from the kraal wall, and freeing Jackal,

adjusted the noose around his own body.

Jackal quickly let go and began to laugh, as

Monkey was now swinging high in the air.

"Ha, ha, ha," he laughed.

" Now Monkeyis in the wip."

"Jackal, free me," he screamed.

"There, Boer is coming," shouted Jackal.

"Jackal, free me of this, or I'll break your

playthings.""No, there Boer is coming with his gun ; you

rest a while in the noose."

[85]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES"Jackal, quickly make me free."

"No, here's Boer already, and he's got his

gun. Good morning." And with these parting

words he ran away as fast as he could. Boer

came and saw Monkey in the wip."So, so, Monkey, now you are caught. You

are the fellow who has been stealing my lambs,

hey?""No, Boer, no," screamed Monkey,

" not I,

but Jackal."

"No, I know you ; you aren't too good for

that."

"No, Boer, no, not I, but Jackal," Monkey

stammered."Oh, I know you. Just wait a little," and

Boer, raising his gun, aimed and shot poor

Monkey dead.

[86]

LION'S SHARE

LIONand Jackal went together a-hunt-

ing. They shot with arrows. Lion

shot first, but his arrow fell short of

its aim; but Jackal hit the game, and joyfully

cried out,"

It has hit."

Lion looked at him with his two large eyes ;

Jackal, however, did not lose his countenance,

but said,"No, uncle, I mean to say that you

have hit." Then they followed the game, and

Jackal passed the arrow of Lion without draw-

ing the latter's attention to it. When they

arrived at a crossway, Jackal said :

" Dear un-

cle, you are old and tired; stay here." Jackal

went then on a wrong track, beat his nose, and,

in returning, let the blood drop from it like

traces of game."

I could not find anything,"

he said," but I met with traces of blood. You

had better go yourself to look for it. In the

meantime I shall go this other way."

[87]


Jackal soon found the killed animal, crept

inside of it, and devoured the best portion ; but

his tail remained outside, and when Lion ar-

rived, he got hold of it, pulled Jackal out,

and threw him on the ground with these words :

"You rascal!"

Jackal rose quickly again, complained of the

rough handling, and asked," What have I now

done, dear uncle? I was busy cutting out the

best part."" Now let us go and fetch our wives," said

Lion, but Jackal entreated his dear uncle to

remain at the place because he was old. Jackal

then went away, taking with him two portions

of the flesh, one for his own wife, but the best

part for the wife of Lion. When Jackal ar-

rived with the flesh, the children of Lion, see-

ing him, began to jump, and clapping their

hands, cried out :

" There comes cousin with

flesh !

' : Jackal threw, grumbling, the worst

portion to them, and said,"There, you brood

of the big-eyed one !

" Then he went to his own

house and told his wife immediately to break upthe house, and to go where the killed game was.

[88]

LION'S SHARE

Lioness wished to do the same, but he forbade

her, and said that Lion would himself come to

fetch her.

When Jackal, with his wife and children,

arrived in the neighborhood of the killed ani-

mal, he ran into a thorn bush, scratched his face

so that it bled, and thus made his appearance

before Lion, to whom he said," Ah ! what a

wife you have got. Look here, how she scratched

my face when I told her that she should come

with us. You must fetch her yourself ; I cannot

bring her." Lion went home very angry. Then

Jackal said,"Quick, let us build a tower."

They heaped stone upon stone, stone upon

stone, stone upon stone ; and when it was high

enough, everything was carried to the top of

it. When Jackal saw Lion approaching with

his wife and children, he cried out to him:"Uncle, whilst you were away we have built

a tower, in order to be better able to see

game."" All right," said Lion ;

" but let me come

up to you.""Certainly, dear uncle ; but how will you

[89]


manage to come up? We must let down a

thong for you."

Lion tied the thong around his body and

Jackal began drawing him up, but when nearly

to the top Jackal cried to Lion,"My, uncle,

how heavy you are !

rThen, unseen by Lion,

he cut the thong. Lion fell to the ground,

while Jackal began loudly and angrily to scold

his wife, and then said,"Go, wife, fetch me a

new thong" " an old one," he said aside to

her.

Lion again tied himself to the thong, and,

just as he was near the top, Jackal cut the

thong as before ; Lion fell heavily to the bot-

tom, groaning aloud, as he had been seriously

hurt.

"No," said Jackal,

" that will never do ; you

must, however, manage to come up high enough

so that you may get a mouthful at least." Then

aloud he ordered his wife to prepare a good

piece, but aside he told her to make a stone hot,

and to cover it with fat. Then he drew Lion

up once more, and complaining how heavy he

was to hold, told him to open his mouth, and

[90]

LION'S SHARE

thereupon threw the hot stone down his throat.

Lion fell to the ground and lay there pleading

for water, while Jackal climbed down and made

his escape.

[91]

JACKAL'S BRIDE

JACKAL,

it is said, married Hyena, and

carried off a cow belonging to the ants,

to slaughter her for the wedding; and

when he had slaughtered her, he put the cow-

skin over his bride; and when he had fixed a

pole (on which to hang the flesh), he placed

on the top of the pole (which was forked) the

hearth for the cooking, in order to cook upon it

all sorts of delicious food. There came also

Lion, and wished to go up. Jackal, therefore,

asked his little daughter for a thong with which

he could pull Lion up; and he began to pull

him up ; and when his face came near to the

cooking-pot, he cut the thong in two, so that

Lion tumbled down. Then Jackal upbraided

his little daughter with these words :

" Why do

you give me such an old thong?r And he

added," Give me a fresh thong." She gave him

a new thong, and he pulled Lion up again, and

[92]

JACKAL'S BRIDE

when his face came near the pot, which stood

on the fire, he said,"open your mouth." Then

he put into his mouth a hot piece of quartz

which had been boiled together with the fat, and

the stone went down, burning his throat. Thus

died Lion.

There came also the ants running after the

cow, and when Jackal saw them he fled. Then

they beat the bride in her brookaross dress.

Hyena, believing that it was Jackal, said:" You tawny rogue ! have you not played at

beating long enough? Have you no more loving

game than this ?J:

But when she had bitten a hole through the

cowskin, she saw that they were other people;

then she fled, falling here and there, yet made

her escape.

[93]

THE STORY OF HARE

ONCEupon a time the animals made a

kraal and put some fat in it. They

agreed that one of their number

should remain to be the keeper of the gate. The

first one that was appointed was the coney (im-

bila). He agreed to take charge, and all the

others went away. In a short time the coney

fell asleep, when the inkalimeva (a fabulous ani-

mal) went in and ate all the fat. After doing

this, he threw a little stone at the coney.

The coney started up and cried out :

" The

fat belonging to all the animals has been eaten

by the inkalimeva."

It repeated this cry several times, calling out

very loudly. The animals at a distance heard

it, they ran to the kraal, and when they saw

that the fat was gone they killed the coney.

They put fat in the kraal a second time,

and appointed the muishond (ingaga) to keep

[94]

THE STORY OF HARE

the gate. The muishond consented, and the

animals went away as before. After a little

time the inkalimeva came to the kraal, bring-

ing some honey with it. It invited the keeper

of the gate to eat honey, and while the muis-

hond was enjoying himself the inkalimeva went

in and stole all the fat. It threw a stone at

the muishond, which caused him to look up.

The muishond cried out :

" The fat belonging

to all the animals has been eaten by the inkali-

meva."

As soon as the animals heard the cry, they

ran to the kraal and killed the muishond.

They put fat in the kraal a third time, and

appointed the duiker (impunzi) to be the keeper

of the gate. The duiker agreed, and the others

went away. In a short time the inkalimeva made

its appearance. It proposed to the duiker that

they should play hide and look for. The duiker

agreed to this. Then the inkalimeva hid it-

self, and the duiker looked for it till he was so

tired that he lay down and went to sleep. Whenthe duiker was asleep, the inkalimeva ate upall the fat.

[95]


Then it threw a stone at the duiker, which

caused him to jump up and cry out: "Thefat belonging to all the animals has been eaten

by the inkalimeva."

The animals, when they heard the cry, ran

to the kraal and killed the duiker.

They put fat in the kraal the fourth time,

and appointed the bluebuck (inputi) to be the

keeper of the gate. When the animals went

away, the inkalimeva came as before.

It said :

" What are you doing by yourself?"

The bluebuck answered :

"I am watching the

fat belonging to all the animals."

The inkalimeva said :

" I will be your com-

panion. Come, let us scratch each other's

heads."

The bluebuck agreed to this. The inkalimeva

sat down and scratched the head of the other

till he went to sleep. Then it arose and ate all

the fat. When it had finished, it threw a stone

at the bluebuck and awakened him.

The bluebuck saw what had happened and

cried out :

" The fat belonging to all the ani-

mals has been eaten by the inkalimeva."

[96]

THE STORY OF HARE

Then the animals ran up and killed the blue-

buck also.

They put fat in the kraal the fifth time, and

appointed the porcupine (incanda) to be the

keeper of the gate. The animals went away,and the inkalimeva came as before.

It said to the porcupine," Let us run a race

against each other."

It let the porcupine beat in this race.

Then it said,"I did not think you could

run so fast, but let us try again." They ran

again, and it allowed the porcupine to beat the

second time. They ran till the porcupine was

so tired that he said," Let us rest now."

They sat down to rest, and the porcupine went

to sleep. Then the inkalimeva rose up and ate

all the fat. When it had finished eating, it

threw a stone at the porcupine, which caused him

to jump up.

He called out with a loud voice," The fat be-

longing to all the animals has been eaten by the

inkalimeva."

Then the animals came running up and putthe porcupine to death.

[97]


They put fat in the kraal the sixth time,

and selected the hare (umvundla) to be the

keeper of the gate. At first the hare would not

consent.

He said," The coney is dead, and the muis-

hond is dead, and the duiker is dead, and the

bluebuck is dead, and the porcupine is dead,

and you will kill me also."

They promised him that they would not kill

him, and after a good deal of persuasion he at

last agreed to keep the gate. When the animals

were gone he laid himself down, but he only

pretended to be asleep.

In a short time the inkalimeva went in, and

was just going to take the fat when the hare

cried out :

" Let the fat alone."

The inkalimeva said," Please let me have

this little bit only."

The hare answered, mocking," Please let me

have this little bit only."

After that they became companions. The

hare proposed that they should fasten each

other's tail, and the inkalimeva agreed. The

inkalimeva fastened the tail of the hare first.

[98]

THE STORY OF HARE

The hare said," Don't tie my tail so tight."

Then the hare fastened the tail of the inkali-

meva.

The inkalimeva said," Don't tie my tail so

tight," but the hare made no answer. After

tying the tail of the inkalimeva very fast, the

hare took his club and killed it. The hare took

the tail of the inkalimeva and ate it, all excepta little piece which he hid in the fence.

Then he called out," The fat belonging to

all the animals has been eaten by the inkali-

meva."

The animals came running back, and when

they saw that the inkalimeva was dead they

rejoiced greatly. They asked the hare for the

tail, which should be kept for the chief.

The hare replied," The one I killed had no

tail."

They said," How can an inkalimeva be with-

out a tail?"

They began to search, and at length theyfound a piece of the tail in the fence. Theytold the chief that the hare had eaten the tail.

He said,"Bring him to me !

"

[99]


All the animals ran after the hare, but he fled,

and they could not catch him. The hare ran

into a hole, at the mouth of which the animals

set a snare, and then went away. The hare re-

mained in the hole for many days, but at length

he managed to get out without being caught.

He went to a place where he found a bush-

buck (imbabala) building a hut. There was a

pot with meat in it on the fire.

He said to the bushbuck," Can I take this

little piece of meat? ' :

The bushbuck answered," You must not

do it."

But he took the meat and ate it all. After-

wards he whistled in a particular manner, and

there fell a storm of hail which killed the bush-

buck. Then he took the skin of the bushbuck,

and made for himself a mantle.

After this the hare went into the forest to

procure some weapons to fight with. While he

was cutting a stick the monkeys threw leaves

upon him. He called to them to come down

and beat him. They came down, but he killed

them all with his weapons.

[100]

THE WHITE MAN AND SNAKE

AWHITE MAN, it is said, met Snake

upon whom a large stone had fallen

and covered her so that she could not

rise. The White Man lifted the stone off

Snake, but when he had done so, she wanted to

bite him. The White Man said,"Stop ! let us

both go first to some wise people." They went

to Hyena, and the White Man asked him,"Is

it right that Snake should want to bite me,

when I helped her as she lay under a stone and

could not rise?' :

Hyena (who thought he would get his share

of the White Man's body) said,"If you were

bitten what would it matter? "

Then Snake wanted to bite him, but the

White Man said again," Wait a little, and let

us go to other wise people, that I may hear

whether this is right."

They went and met Jackal. The White Man

[101]


said to Jackal,"Is it right for Snake to want

to bite me, when I lifted up the stone which lay

upon her? ' :

Jackal replied," I do not believe that Snake

could be covered by a stone so she could not

rise. Unless I saw it with my two eyes, I would

not believe it. Therefore, come let us go and

see the place where you say it happened whether

it can be true."

They went, and arrived at the place where

it had happened. Jackal said,"Snake, lie

down, and let thyself be covered."

Snake did so, and the White Man covered

her with the stone; but although she exerted

herself very much, she could not rise. Then

the White Man wanted again to release Snake,

but Jackal interfered, and said," Do not lift

the stone. She wanted to bite you, therefore

she may rise by herself."

Then they both went away and left Snake

under the stone.

[102]

ANOTHER VERSION OF THESAME FABLE

ADUTCHMAN was walking by himself

and saw Snake lying under a large

stone. Snake implored his help ; but

when she had become free she said," Now I

shall eat you."

The Man answered," That is not right. Let

us first go to Hare."

When Hare had heard the affair, he said,

"It is right.""No," said the Man,

"let us ask Hyena."

Hyena declared the same, saying,"

It is

right."" Now let us ask Jackal," said the Man in

his despair.

Jackal answered very slowly and consider-

ately, doubting the whole affair, and demandingto see first the place, and whether the Man was

able to lift the stone. Snake lay down, and

[103]


the Man, to prove the truth of his account, put

the stone again over her.

When she was fast, Jackal said," Now let

her lie there."

[104.]

CLOUD-EATING

JACKAL

and Hyena were together, it is

said, when a white cloud rose. Jackal

descended upon it, and ate of the cloud

as if it were fat.

When he wanted to come down, he said to

Hyena," My sister, as I am going to divide

with thee, catch me well." So she caught him,

and broke his fall. Then she also went up and

ate there, high up on the top of the cloud.

When she was satisfied, she said," My grey-

ish brother, now catch me well." The greyish

rogue said to his friend," My sister, I shall

catch thee well. Come therefore down."

He held up his hands, and she came down

from the cloud, and when she was near, Jackal

cried out (painfully jumping to one side)," My

sister, do not take it ill. Oh me ! Oh me ! Athorn has pricked me and sticks in me." Thus

she fell down from above, and was sadly hurt.

[105]


Since that day, it is said that Hyena's hind

feet have been shorter and smaller than the

front ones.

[106]

LION'S ILLNESS

LION,

it is said, was ill, and they all

went to see him in his suffering. But

Jackal did not go, because the traces

of the people who went to see him did not turn

back. Thereupon, he was accused by Hyena,

who said,"Though I go to look, yet Jackal

does not want to come and look at the man's

sufferings."

Then Lion let Hyena go, in order that she

might catch Jackal ; and she did so, and brought

him.

Lion asked Jackal :

" Why did you not come

here to see me? r

Jackal said,"Oh, no ! when I heard that

my uncle was so very ill, I went to the witch

(doctor) to consult him, whether and what med-

icine would be good for my uncle against the

pain. The doctor said to me,' Go and tell

your uncle to take hold of Hyena and draw

[107]


off her skin, and put it on while it is still warm.

Then he will recover.' Hyena is one who does

not care for my uncle's sufferings."

Lion followed his advice, got hold of Hyena,

drew the skin over her ears, whilst she howled

with all her might, and put it on.

[108]

JACKAL, DOVE, AND HERON

JACKAL,

it is said, came once to Dove,

who lived on the top of a rock, and said,

" Give me one of your little ones."

Dove answered," I shall not do anything of

the kind."

Jackal said," Give me it at once ! Other-

wise, I shall fly up to you." Then she threw

one down to him.

He came back another day and demanded

another little one, and she gave it to him.

After Jackal had gone, Heron came, and asked,

"Dove, why do you cry ?

' :

Dove answered him," Jackal has taken away

my little ones; it is for this that I cry." He

asked her," In what manner did he take them? "

She answered him," When he asked me I re-

fused him ; but when he said,' I shall at once

fly up, therefore give me it,' I threw it down

to him."

[109]


Heron said," Are you such a fool as to give

your young ones to Jackal, who cannot fly?'

Then, with the admonition to give no more, he

went away.

Jackal came again, and said,"Dove, give me

a little one." Dove refused, and told him that

Heron had told her that he could not fly up.

Jackal said," I shall catch him."

So when Heron came to the banks of the

water, Jackal asked him :

" Brother Heron,

when the wind comes from this side, how will you

stand ?' : He turned his neck towards him and

said," I stand thus, bending my neck on one

side." Jackal asked him again," When a storm

comes and when it rains, how do you stand? ' :

He said to him: " I stand thus, indeed, bending

my neck down."

Then Jackal beat him on his neck, and broke

his neck in the middle.

Since that day Heron's neck is bent.

[no]

COCK AND JACKAL

Cock, it is said, was once overtaken

by Jackal, and caught. Cock said to Jac-

kal, "Please, pray first (before youkill me), as the white man does."

Jackal asked, "In what manner ctoee

he pray? Tell me, rt

"He folds his hands in praying,M

said Cook. Jackal folded his hands and

prayed. Then Cock sp&ke againj "You

ought not to look about you as you do.

lou Wad better shut your eyes. He did

so; and Cock flew away, upbraiding at the

same time Jackal with these words," lou

rogue, do you also pray?"There sat Jackal, speechless, because

he had been outdone.

Ill

ELEPHANT AND TORTOISE

Two powers, Elephant and Kain, had

dispute. E lephant said, "If you &aythat you nourish ae, in what w~y 1 itthat you say so?" Rain answered, If

you say that I do not nourish you, whenI go away, will you not die?" And Rainthen departed.

Elephant said, "Vulture. Oast lotsto make rain for me."

Vulture said, *I will not cast lots."Then rtlaphant said to (Jrow, "Cast

Lots." w ho answered, "Giva the thingswith which I may e-sat lota." Crow e-ast

l.otfl and r&.in fell. It rained at the

lagoons, but they dried up, end only one

lagoon regained.

Elephant went a-hjinting. There was,

however, Tortoise, to whom Elephant said,

"Tortoise, remain at the water." ThusTortoise was left behind when Elephantwent ^-hunting.

U2

ELEPHANT AND TORTOISE

There came Giraffe, and said to Tortoise," Give me water !

" Tortoise answered," The

water belongs to Elephant."

There came Zebra, who said to Tortoise," Give me water !



There came Gemsbok, and said to Tortoise," Give me water !

' : Tortoise answered," The


There came Wildebeest, and said," Give me

water !

' : Tortoise said," The water belongs to

Elephant."

There came Roodebok, and said to Tortoise," Give me water !



There came Springbok, and said to Tortoise," Give me water !

" Tortoise said," The water

belongs to Elephant."

There came Jackal, and said to Tortoise," Give me water !

" Tortoise said," The water

belongs to Elephant."

There came Lion, and said,"Little Tortoise,

give me water !

" When little Tortoise was

about to say something, Lion got hold of him

[113]


and beat him; Lion drank of the water, and

since then the animals drink water.

When Elephant came back from the hunting,

he said, "Little Tortoise, is there water? r

Tortoise answered," The animals have drunk

the water." Elephant asked,"

Little Tortoise,

shall I chew you or swallow you down ?" Lit-

tle Tortoise said," Swallow me, if you please !

*

and Elephant swallowed him whole.

After Elephant had swallowed Little Tor-

toise, and he had entered his body, he tore off

his liver, heart, and kidneys. Elephant said,

"Little Tortoise, you kill me."

So Elephant died; but little Tortoise came

out of his dead body, and went wherever he

liked.

[114]


GIRAFFE

and Tortoise, they say, met

one day. Giraffe said to Tortoise," At once I could trample you to

death." Tortoise, being afraid, remained silent.

Then Giraffe said," At once I could swallow

you." Tortoise said, in answer to this,"Well,

I just belong to the family of those whom it

has always been customary to swallow." Then

Giraffe swallowed Tortoise ; but when the latter

was being gulped down, he stuck in Giraffe's

throat, and as the latter could not get it down,

he was choked to death.

When Giraffe was dead, Tortoise crawled out

and went to Crab (who is considered as the

mother of Tortoise), and told her what had

happened. Then Crab said:

[115]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES" The little Crab ! I could sprinkle it under

its arm with Boochoo,*

The crooked-legged little one, I could sprin-

kle under its arm."

Tortoise answered its mother and said:

" Have you not always sprinkled me,

That you want to sprinkle me now? "

Then they went and fed for a whole year on

the remains of Giraffe.

*(In token of approval, according to a Hottentot cus-

tom.)

[H6]

TORTOISES HUNTINGOSTRICHES

ONEday, it is said, the Tortoises held

a council how they might hunt Os-

triches, and they said," Let us, on

both sides, stand in rows near each other, and

let one go to hunt the Ostriches, so that they

must flee along through the midst of us." They

did so, and as they were many, the Ostriches

were obliged to run along through the midst

of them. During this they did not move, but,

remaining always in the same places, called each

to the other," Are you there ?

" and each one

answered,"I am here." The Ostriches hearing

this, ran so tremendously that they quite ex-

hausted their strength, and fell down. Then

the Tortoises assembled by-and-by at the place

where the Ostriches had fallen, and devoured

them.

[H7]

THE JUDGMENT OF BABOON

ONEday, it is said, the following story

happened :

Mouse had torn the clothes of

Itkler (the tailor), who then went to Baboon,

and accused Mouse with these words:" In this manner I come to thee : Mouse has

torn my clothes, but will not know anything

of it, and accuses Cat ; Cat protests likewise her

innocence, and says,'

Dog must have done it'

;

but Dog denies it also, and declares Wood has

done it; and Wood throws the blame on Fire,

and says,' Fire did it

'

; Fire says,' I have not,

Water did it'

; Water says,'

Elephant tore the

clothes '; and Elephant says,

' Ant tore them.'

Thus a dispute has arisen among them. There-

fore, I, Itkler, come to thee with this proposi-

tion : Assemble the people and try them in order

that I may get satisfaction."

Thus he spake, and Baboon assembled them

[118]

THE JUDGMENT OF BABOON

for trial. Then they made the same excuses

which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one

putting the blame upon the other.

So Baboon did not see any other way of

punishing them, save through making them pun-

ish each other ; he therefore said,

"Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction."

Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But

Baboon said,"Cat, bite Mouse." She did so.

He then put the same question to Cat, and

when she exculpated herself, Baboon called to

Dog,"Here, bite Cat."

In this manner Baboon questioned them all,

one after the other, but they each denied the

charge. Then he addressed the following words

to them, and said,

" Wood, beat Dog.

Fire, burn Wood.

Water, quench Fire.

Elephant, drink Water.

Ant, bite Elephant in his most tender parts."

They did so, and since that day they cannot

any longer agree with each other.

[119]


Ant enters into Elephant's most tender parts

and bites him.

Elephant swallows Water.

Water quenches Fire.

Fire consumes Wood.

Wood beats Dog.

Dog bites Cat.

And Cat bites Mouse.

Through this judgment Itkler got satisfac-

tion, and addressed Baboon in the following

manner :

" Yes ! Now I am content, since I have re-

ceived satisfaction, and with all my heart I thank

thee, Baboon, because thou hast exercised jus-

tice on my behalf and given me redress."

Then Baboon said," From to-day I will not

any longer be called Jan, but Baboon shall be

my name."

Since that time Baboon walks on all fours,

having probably lost the privilege of walking

erect through this foolish judgment.

[120]

LION AND BABOON

BABOON,

it is said, once worked bam-

boos, sitting on the edge of a precipice,

and Lion stole upon him. Baboon,

however, had fixed some round, glistening, eye-

like plates on the back of his head. When,

therefore, Lion crept upon him, he thought,

when Baboon was looking at him, that he sat

with his back towards him, and crept with all

his might upon him. When, however, Baboon

turned his back towards him, Lion thought that

he was seen, and hid himself. Thus, when Ba-

boon looked at him, he crept upon him.* Whenhe was near him Baboon looked up, and Lion

continued to creep upon him. Baboon said

(aside)," Whilst I am looking at him he steals

upon me, whilst my hollow eyes are on him."

When at last Lion sprung at him, he lay

(quickly) down upon his face, and Lion jumpedover him, falling down the precipice, and was

dashed to pieces.

* Whilst Baboon did this, Lion came close upon him.

[121]

THE ZEBRA STALLION

THEBaboons, it is said, used to dis-

turb the Zebra Mares in drinking. But

one of the Mares became the mother

of a foal. The others then helped her to suckle

(the young stallion), that he might soon grow

up.

When he was grown up and they were in want

of water, he brought them to the water. The

Baboons, seeing this, came, as they formerly

were used to do, into their way, and kept them

from the water.

While the Mares stood thus, the Stallion

stepped forward, and spoke to one of the Ba-

boons," Thou gum-eater's child !

'

The Baboon said to the Stallion,"Please

open thy mouth, that I may see what thou livest

on." The Stallion opened his mouth, and it

was milky.

Then the Stallion said to the Baboon,"Please

[122]

THE ZEBRA STALLION

open thy mouth also, that I may see." The Ba-

boon did so, and there was some gum in it. But

the Baboon quickly licked some milk off the

Stallion's tongue. The Stallion on this became

angry, took the Baboon by his shoulders, and

pressed him upon a hot, flat rock. Since that

day the Baboon has a bald place on his back.

The Baboon said, lamenting,"

I, my mother's

child, I, the gum-eater, am outdone by this milk-

eater !

"

[123]

WHEN LION COULD FLY

LION,

it is said, used once to fly, and

at that time nothing could live before

him. As he was unwilling that the

bones of what he caught should be broken into

pieces, he made a pair of White Crows watch

the bones, leaving them behind at the kraal

whilst he went a-hunting. But one day Great

Frog came there, broke the bones in pieces,

and said," Why can men and animals live no

longer?' : And he added these words,

" When

he comes, tell him that I live at yonder pool; if

he wishes to see me, he must come there."

Lion, lying in wait (for game), wanted to

fly up, but found he could not fly. Then he

got angry, thinking that at the kraal something

was wrong, and returned home. When he ar-

rived, he asked," What have you done that I

cannot fly?" Then they answered and said," Some one came here, broke the bones into

[124]

WHEN LION COULD FLY

pieces, and said,'If he want me, he may look

for me at yonder pool !

' Lion went, and

arrived while Frog was sitting at the water's

edge, and he tried to creep stealthily upon him.

When he was about to get hold of him, Frog

said," Ho !

"and, diving, went to the other

side of the pool, and sat there. Lion pursued

him ; but as he could not catch him he returned

home.

From that day, it is said, Lion walked on

his feet, and also began to creep upon (his

game) ; and the White Crows became entirely

dumb since the day that they said,"Nothing

can be said of that matter."

[125]

LION WHO THOUGHT HIM-SELF WISER THAN HIS

MOTHER

IT

is said that when Lion and Gurikhoisip

(the Only man), together with Baboon,

Buffalo, and other friends, were playing

one day at a certain game, there was a thun-

derstorm and rain at Aroxaams. Lion and

Gurikhoisip began to quarrel." I shall run to

the rain-field," said Lion. Gurikhoisip said

also,"

I shall run to the rain-field." As

neither would concede this to the other, they

separated (angrily). After they had parted,

Lion went to tell his Mother those things which

they had both said.

His Mother said to him," My son ! that

Man whose head is in a line with his shoulders

and breast, who has pinching weapons, who

keeps white dogs, who goes about wearing the

tuft of a tiger's tail, beware of him !

'

Lion,

[126]

LION WISER THAN HIS MOTHER

however, said," Why need I be on my guard

against those whom I know? ' : Lioness an-

swered," My Son, take care of him who

has pinching weapons !

" But Lion would

not follow his Mother's advice, and the same

morning, when it was still pitch dark, he went

to Aroxaams, and laid himself in ambush.

Gurikhoisip went also that morning to the same

place. When he had arrived he let his dogs

drink, and then bathe. After they had finished

they wallowed. Then also Man drank; and,

when he had done drinking, Lion came out

of the bush. Dogs surrounded him as his

Mother had foretold, and he was speared by

Gurikhoisip. Just as he became aware that he

was speared, the Dogs drew him down again.

In this manner he grew faint. While he was in

this state, Gurikhoisip said to the Dogs," Let

him alone now, that he may go and be taught

by his Mother." So the Dogs let him go. They

left him, and went home as he lay there. The

same night he walked towards home, but whilst

he was on the way his strength failed him, and

he lamented:

[127]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES" Mother ! take me up !

Grandmother ! take me up ! Oh me ! Alas !

"

At the dawn of day his Mother heard his

wailing, and said

" My Son, this is the thing which I have told

thee:

' Beware of the one who has pinching weapons,

Who wears a tuft of tiger's tail,

Of him who has white dogs !

Alas ! thou son of her who is short-eared,

Thou, my short-eared child !

Son of her who eats raw flesh,

Thou flesh-devourer ;

Son of her whose nostrils are red from the prey,

Thou with blood-stained nostrils !

Son of her who drinks pit-water,

Thou water-drinker !

' "

[128]

LION WHO TOOK A WOMAN'SSHAPE

SOMEWomen, it is said, went out to seek

roots and herbs and other wild food. On

their way home they sat down and said," Let us taste the food of the field." Now they

found that the food picked by one of them

was sweet, while that of the others was bitter.

The latter said to each other," Look here ! this

Woman's herbs are sweet." Then they said to

the owner of the sweet food," Throw it away

and seek for other." So she threw away the

food, and went to gather more. When she had

collected a sufficient supply, she returned to

join the other Women, but could not find them.

She went therefore down to the river, where

Hare sat lading water, and said to him,"Hare,

give me some water that I may drink." But

he replied," This is the cup out of which my

uncle (Lion) and I alone may drink."

[129]


She asked again :

"Hare, draw water for

me that I may drink." But Hare made the

same reply. Then she snatched the cup from

him and drank, but he ran home to tell his uncle

of the outrage which had been committed.

The Woman meanwhile replaced the cup and

went away. After she had departed Lion came

down, and, seeing her in the distance, pursued

her on the road. When she turned round

and saw him coming, she sang in the following

manner:

" My mother, she would not let me seek herbs,

Herbs of the field, food from the field. Hoo !

j:

When Lion at last came up with the Woman,

they hunted each other round a shrub. She

wore many beads and arm-rings, and Lion said,

" Let me put them on !

r So she lent them to

him, but he afterwards refused to return them

to her.

They then hunted each other again round

the shrub, till Lion fell down, and the Woman

jumped upon him, and kept him there. Lion

(uttering a form of conjuration) said:

[130]

LION WHO TOOK A WOMAN'S SHAPE" My Aunt ! it is morning, and time to rise ;

Pray, rise from me !

' :

She then rose from him, and they hunted

again after each other round the shrub, till the

Woman fell down, and Lion jumped upon her.

She then addressed him :

" My Uncle ! it is morning, and time to rise ;


"

He rose, of course, and they hunted each

other again, till Lion fell a second time. Whenshe jumped upon him he said:

" My Aunt ! it is morning, and time to rise ;


"

They rose again and hunted after each other.

The Woman at last fell down. But this time

when she repeated the above conjuration, Lion

said:

" He Kha ! Is it morning, and time to rise?''

He then ate her, taking care, however, to

leave her skin whole, which he put on, together

with her dress and ornaments, so that he looked

[131]


quite like a woman, and then went home to her

kraal.

When this counterfeit woman arrived, her lit-

tle sister, crying, said," My sister, pour some

milk out for me." She answered,"I shall not

pour you out any." Then the Child addressed

their Mother :

"Mama, do pour out some for

me." The Mother of the kraal said," Go to

your sister, and let her give it to you !

" The

little Child said again to her sister,"Please,

pour out for me !

"She, however, repeated her

refusal, saying," I will not do it." Then the

Mother of the kraal said to the little One,

"I refused to let her (the elder sister) seek

herbs in the field, and I do not know what mayhave happened; go therefore to Hare, and ask

him to pour out for you."

So then Hare gave her some milk ; but her

elder sister said," Come and share it with me."

The little Child then went to her sister with her

bamboo (cup), and they both sucked the milk

out of it. Whilst they were doing this, some

milk was spilt on the little one's hand, and the

elder sister licked it up with her tongue, the

[132]

LION WHO TOOK A WOMAN'S SHAPE

roughness of which drew blood; this, too, the

Woman licked up.

The little Child complained to her Mother:

" Mama, sister pricks holes in me and sucks the

blood." The Mother said," With what Lion's

nature your sister went the way that I forbade

her, and returned, I do not know."

Now the Cows arrived, and the elder sister

cleansed the pails in order to milk them. But

when she approached the Cows with a thong

(in order to tie their fore-legs), they all re-

fused to be milked by her.

Hare said," Why do not you stand be-

fore the Cow ?" She replied,

"Hare, call your

brother, and do you two stand before the Cow."

Her husband said," What has come over her

that the Cows refuse her? These are the same

Cows she always milks." The Mother (of the

kraal) said," What has happened this evening?

These are Cows which she always milks without

assistance. What can have affected her that

she comes home as a woman with a Lion's na-

ture?"

The elder daughter then said to her Mother,

[133]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES"I shall not milk the Cows." With these words

she sat down. The Mother said therefore to

Hare,"Bring me the bamboos, that I may milk.

I do not know what has come over the girl."

So the Mother herself milked the cows, and

when she had done so, Hare brought the bam-

boos to the young wife's house, where her

husband was, but she (the wife) did not give

him (her husband) anything to eat. But when

at night time she fell asleep, they saw some of

the Lion's hair, which was hanging out where

he had slipped on the Woman's skin, and they

cried,"Verily ! this is quite another being. It

is for this reason that the Cows refused to be

milked."

Then the people of the kraal began to break

up the hut in which Lion lay asleep. When

they took off the mats, they said (conjuring

them),"

If thou art favourably inclined to me,

O Mat, give the sound ' sawa ' '

(meaning, mak-

ing no noise).

To the poles (on which the hut rested) they

said," If thou art favourably inclined to me,

O Pole, thou must give the sound '

gara.':

[134]

LION WHO TOOK A WOMAN'S SHAPE

They addressed also the bamboos and the bed-

skins in a similar manner.

Thus gradually and noiselessly they removed

the hut and all its contents. Then they took

bunches of grass, put them over the Lion, and

lighting them, said," If thou art favourably in-

clined to me, O Fire, thou must flare up,' boo

boo,' before thou comest to the heart."

So the Fire flared up when it came towards

the heart, and the heart of the Woman jumped

upon the ground. The Mother (of the kraal)

picked it up, and put it into a calabash.

Lion, from his place in the fire, said to the

Mother (of the kraal)," How nicely I have

eaten your daughter." The Woman answered," You have also now a comfortable place !

r

Now the Woman took the first milk of as

many Cows as had calves, and put it into the

calabash where her daughter's heart was ; the

calabash increased in size, and in proportion to

this the girl grew again inside it.

One day, when the Mother (of the kraal)

went out to fetch wood, she said to Hare,"By the time that I come back you must have

[135]


everything nice and clean." But during her

Mother's absence, the girl crept out of the cala-

bash, and put the hut in good order, as she

had been used to do in former days, and said

to Hare," When Mother comes back and asks,

* Who has done these things ?'

you must say,'

I, Hare, did them.' ! After she had done all,

she hid herself on the stage.

When the Mother of the kraal came home,

she said, "Hare, who has done these things?

They look just as they used when my daugh-

ter did them." Hare said,"I did the things."

But the Mother would not believe it, and looked

at the calabash. Seeing it was empty, she

searched the stage and found her daughter.

Then she embraced and kissed her, and from

that day the girl stayed with her Mother, and

did everything as she was wont in former times ;

but she now remained unmarried.

[136]

WHY HAS JACKAL A LONGBLACK STRIPE ON HIS

BACK?

THESun, It is said, was one day on earth,

and the men who were travelling saw

him sitting by the wayside, but passed

him without notice. Jackal, however, who came

after them, and saw him also sitting, went to

him and said," Such a fine little child is left

behind by the men." He then took Sun up,

and put it into his awa-skin (on his back).

When it burnt him, he said," Get down," and

shook himself; but Sun stuck fast to his back,

and burnt Jackal's back black from that day.

[137]

HORSE CURSED BY SUN

IT

is said that once Sun was on earth, and

caught Horse to ride it. But it was un-

able to bear his weight, and therefore Ox

took the place of Horse, and carried Sun on its

back. Since that time Horse is cursed in these

words, because it could not carry Sun's weight:

" From to-day thou shalt have a (certain) time

of dying.

This is thy curse, that thou hast a (certain)

time of dying.

And day and night shalt thou eat,

But the desire of thy heart shall not be at

rest,

Though thou grazest till morning and again

until sunset.

Behold, this is the judgment which I pass

upon thee," said Sun.

Since that day Horse's (certain) time of

dying commenced.

[138]

LION'S DEFEAT

THEwild animals, it is said, were once

assembled at Lion's. When Lion was

asleep, Jackal persuaded Little Fox to

twist a rope of ostrich sinews, in order to

play Lion a trick. They took ostrich sinews,

twisted them, and fastened the rope to Lion's

tail, and the other end of the rope they tied

to a shrub. When Lion awoke, and saw that

he was tied up, he became angry, and called

the animals together. When they had assem-

bled, Lion said (using this form of conjura-

tion)

" What child of his mother and father's love,

Whose mother and father's love has tied

me?"

Then answered the animal to whom the ques-

tion was first put

[139]

SOUTH-AFRICAN FOLK-TALES"

I, child of my mother and father's love,

I, mother and father's love, I have not done

it."

All answered the same; but when he asked

Little Fox, Little Fox said

"I, child of my mother and father's love,

I, mother and father's love, have tied thee !

"

Then Lion tore the rope made of sinews, and

ran after Little Fox. But Jackal said:

" My boy, thou son of lean Mrs. Fox, thou

wilt never be caught."

Truly Lion was thus beaten in running by

Little Fox.

[140]

THE ORIGIN OF DEATH

THEMoon, it is said, sent once an Insect

to Men, saying," Go thou to Men, and

tell them,' As I die, and dying live, so

ye shall also die, and dying live.': The Insect

started with the message, but whilst on his waywas overtaken by the Hare, who asked :

" On

what errand art thou bound? ' ; The Insect an-

swered :

"I am sent by the Moon to Men, to

tell them that as she dies, and dying lives, they

also shall die, and dying live." The Hare said,

" As thou art an awkward runner, let me go"

(to take the message). With these words he

ran off, and when he reached Men, he said,

" I am sent by the Moon to tell you,* As I

die, and dying perish, in the same manner ye

shall also die and come wholly to an end.':

Then the Hare returned to the Moon, and told

her what he had said to Men. The Moon

reproached him angrily, saying," Darest thou

[141]


tell the people a thing which I have not said?"

With these words she took up a piece of wood,

and struck him on the nose. Since that daythe Hare's nose is slit.

[142]


THEMoon dies, and rises to life again.

The Moon said to the Hare," Go thou

to Men, and tell them,' Like as I die

and rise to life again, so you also shall die and

rise to life again.'" The Hare went to the Men,

and said," Like as I die and do not rise to life

again, so you shall also die, and not rise to rf~

again." When he returned the Moon asked" What hast thou said? " "

I have told them,* Like as I die and do not rise to life again, so

you shall also die and not rise to life again.'"

"What," said the Moon, "hast thou said

that ?' : And she took a stick and beat the Hare

on his mouth, which was slit by the blow. TheHare fled, and is still fleeing.

[143]

A THIRD VERSION OF THESAME FABLE

THEMoon, on one occasion, sent the

Hare to the earth to inform Men that

as she (the Moon) died away and rose

again, so mankind should die and rise again.

Instead, however, of delivering this message as

given, the Hare, either out of forgetfulness or

malice, told mankind that as the Moon rose and

died away, so Man should die and rise no more.

The Hare, having returned to the Moon, was

questioned as to the message delivered, and the

Moon, having heard the true state of the case,

became so enraged with him that she took up a

hatchet to split his head ; falling short, however,

of that, the hatchet fell upon the upper lip of

the Hare, and cut it severely. Hence it is that

we see the "Hare-lip." The Hare, being

duly incensed at having received such treatment,

raised his claws, and scratched the Moon's face ;

[144]

A THIRD VERSION OF THE FABLE

and the dark spots which we now see on the

surface of the Moon are the scars which she

received on that occasion.

A FOURTH VERSION OF THESAME FABLE

THEMoon, they say, wished to send a

message to Men, and the Hare said that

he would take it. "Run, then," said the

Moon," and tell Men that as I die and am re-

newed, so shall they also be renewed." But the

Hare deceived Men, and said," As I die and

perish, so shall you also."

[146]

A ZULU VERSION OF THE LE-GEND OF THE "ORIGIN OFDEATH "

GOD(Unknlunkuln) arose from beneath

(the seat of the spiritual world, ac-

cording to the Zulu idea), and created

in the beginning men, animals, and all things.

He then sent for the Chameleon, and said,"Go,

Chameleon, and tell Men that they shall not

die." The Chameleon went, but it walked

slowly, and loitered on the way, eating of a shrub

called Bukwebezane.

When it had been away some time, God sent

the Salamander after it, ordering him to make

haste and tell Men that they should die. The

Salamander went on his way with this message,

outran the Chameleon, and, arriving first where

the Men were, told them that they must die.

li * "

tl*7]

LITERATURE

Geschiedenis van

Zuid Afrika Geo. McCall Theal

Kafir Folk-lore" " " 1882

African Native

Literature S. W. Koelle 1854

South African

Folk-lore Journal

Hottentot Fables

and Tales W. H. I. Bleek 1864

An expedition of

Discovery into

the Interior of

Africa James Alexander 1838

South Africa a

Century Ago Anna Barnard 1901

LITERATURE

An account of

travels into the

interior of

South Africa

Travels in South

Africa

The Childhood of

ManTravels and Ad-

venture in East-

ern Africa

Narrative of Dis-

covery and Ad-

venture in Af-

rica

Voyage dans 1'In-

terieur de 1'Af-

rique

Missionary Trav-

els and Re-

searches in

South Africa

Scenes in Africa

John Barrow

John Campbell

Leo Frobenius

Nathaniel Isaacs

Jameson, etc.

F. Le Vaillant

D. Livingstone

Capt. Marryat

1802

1816

1909

1836

1830

1796

1858

1851

[149]

J. Morse

S. A. Native Races

Committee


Missionary Labors

and Scenes in

South Africa R. Moffat

A New Gazetteer

of the Asia,

Africa, etc.,

Continents

South African Na-

tive Races

Researches into

the Physical

History of

Mankind

Memorials of

South Africa

Wanderings and

Adventures in

the Interior of

South Africa

Notes on the

Bushmen

Africa

1845

J. C. Prichard

B. Shaw

A. Stedman

E. & D. Bleek

K. Johnston

1802

1909

1841

1841

1835

1909

1878

[150]

LITERATURE

A Voyage to the

Cape of Good

HopeTravels in South

Africa

The Dwarfs of

Mount Atlas

The Native Races

of South Africa

Description du

Cap de Bonne

Esperance

Specimens of Dia-

lects

A. Sparrmann 1785

Henry Lichtenstein 1800

R. G. Haliburton 1891

G. W. Stow 1905

Pierre Kolbe 1741

John Clarke 1849

[151]

MAY ?

Documents

Honey, James - South African Folk Tales